Thai journalist faces 10 years in prison after being charged with criticising junta’s new constitution
A Thai journalist and four activists were charged on Monday under a draconian law banning criticism of the junta’s new constitution which will be voted on in a referendum next month.
Taweesak Kerdpoka, a reporter with the news outlet Prachatai, was arrested on Sunday morning alongside four members of the New Democracy Movement, one of the few activist groups that dare to challenge the military since generals seized power two years ago.
He is a reporter that covers human and environmental rights. He was just doing his job
“Their actions were violating the referendum bill article 61 clause two,” police colonel Amnuay Pongsawat, from Ban Pong district in central Ratchaburi province, said.
He did not elaborate on how their actions had broken the law, but the men face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The clause outlaws critical discussion of the junta’s new draft constitution, which if passed will become Thailand’s 20th in less than a century.
Prachatai Editor Chiranuch Premchaiporn said Taweesak was travelling in the same car as the activists to report on their activities.
Police stopped the car and found documents that they deemed were in breach the referendum law.