Royal motorcade poll participant visited by police

A 22-year-old woman said police officers visited her at home after she went to observe a poll on royal motorcades conducted by a group of activists on 8 February 2022.

Activists conducting a poll on royal motorcade at the fountain courtyard next to the Siam Paragon shopping mall

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported on Thursday (17 February 2022) that police officers went looking for Bam (pseudonym), 22, at her family home after she observed members of the activist group Thaluwang (“Through the palace”) conduct a poll on the nuisance of royal motorcades at Siam Paragon shopping mall.  

Bam said that, on Tuesday afternoon (15 February 2022), she received a call from her parents, who told her that two men in white polo shirts with police insignia came to their house to ask about her.  Her parents thought the men were plainclothes police.

She said that the two men were carrying documents with them, possibly pictures of her at the event.  According to Bam’s mother, the men also asked a neighbour whether he knew Bam, incorrectly reporting that she had given a speech at the protest.

The episode left Bam’s parents concerned for her safety and Bam worried that her family is being watched by the police, who reportedly knew her father’s name.

Bam said that she worked with activist groups in 2020 but has since stopped and now only joins gatherings as a participant. She said she was not one of the poll organisers but went to observe the event and take pictures.  She admits that she became directly involved in the proceedings when police officers tried to stop the event and a small clash took place. She said that this is the first time she has been visited by the police.

A recent royalist Facebook post doxing Thaluwang activists wrongly targeted Bam as a member of the anti-motorcades campaign.

TLHR reported that several other activists were also visited by men claiming to be plainclothes people officers.  One is a minor and two others reside in Udonthani.

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