Thai junta under fire over detention of student activist Ja New

by Asian Correspondent Staff-21st January 2016

THAI military personnel apprehended a prominent student activist yesterday night and then allegedly subjected him to abuse before dropping him off at a police station.

The student activist in question, Sirawith Seritiwat, who is also known as Ja New, had previously led protests against Rajabhakti Park – a billion-baht military project that has been embroiled with allegations of corruption.

In addition to Sirawith’s arrest, three other activists were also detained, reports the Bangkok Post.

Sirawith’s arrest had been initially described as an ‘abduction.’ On Wednesday night, soldiers in uniform reportedly forced him into a vehicle outside Thammasat University. The New Democracy Movement, Sirawith’s organization, uploaded a video on Facebook purportedly showing the moment when that happened:

ภาพวงจรปิด จ่านิวโดนอุ้ม
ภาพจากกล้องวงจรปิด นาทีที่จ่านิว (ใส่เสื้อสีขาว) โดนอุ้ม#ตามหาเพื่อน
Posted by ขบวนการประชาธิปไตยใหม่ New Democracy Movement - NDM on Wednesday, January 20, 2016

 Sirawith gave his account of the incident to friends who visited him at the police station. They uploaded a video of the conversation on Facebook, reported Khaosod English.

In the video, he described being taken to a “grassy jungle” where the soldiers kicked him down onto the ground after he refused to squat. Then they began scolding him for talking to the media and questioning his sense of duty to the country, he said.

When questioned if he was physically hit, Sirawith replied, “They slapped my head once. Hit my back once and kicked once. That’s three.” He added that the men used something to poke at his body, but he could not confirm if it was a wooden stick or a gun barrel.

Here is Sirawith’s account of his arrest:

For their part, the Thai authorities denied that Sirawith was mistreated. Junta spokesman Winthai Suvaree said, “The soldiers treated him with honor. There was no violence as alleged by someone who tried to distort the facts.”

He asserted that the soldiers acted within the law because there was an outstanding warrant on the activist that was issued by the military court.

News of Sirawith’s ‘abduction’ and arrest was met with anger and condemnation:

20 Jan

Kaewmala @Thai_Talk

Police deputy spox: 'Ja New' has arrest warrant for defying NCPO order not to go to royal park; could be arrested. https://twitter.com/treechada_tv24/status/689862510317416450 …

 Follow

Kaewmala @Thai_Talk

Wonder if being abducted at night by hooded men in camouflage, taken in a vehicle with concealed plate, is a new #ThaiJunta-style 'arrest'.

12:40 PM - 20 Jan 2016

The United States, a long-time ally of Thailand, reacted to the activist’s arrest with diplomatic caution. The U.S. State Department said the human rights situation in Thailand is concerning, but declined to comment on this particular incident.

When asked about the case, State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said, “We remain concerned by continued limitations on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Thailand, including undue restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and would urge the Thai government to ensure full respect for freedom of expression and other human rights and fundamental freedoms. As to this specific case, as we get more details, we’ll comment.”

จ่านิวเล่าเหตุการณ์ระหว่างถูกจับกุมตัว
ฟังจ่านิวเล่าว่า ตั้งแต่ที่ถูกจับกุมจนกระทั่งนำตัวมาถึงสถานีตำรวจ เขาโดนอะไรมาบ้าง #ตามหาเพื่อน
Posted by ขบวนการประชาธิปไตยใหม่ New Democracy Movement - NDM on Wednesday, January 20, 2016