<p dir="ltr">The police have accused a veteran journalist known for his anti-junta stand of sedition over Facebook posts critical of the junta. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>On 1 August 2017, Pravit Rojanaphruk, a senior reporter at <a href="http://www.khaosodenglish.com">Khaosod English</a>, who has consistently criticised Thailand’s junta and the lèse majesté law, posted on his Facebook account that the Technology Crime Suppression Division accused him of violation of Article 116 of the Criminal Code, the sedition law. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>The police have released a politician known for his anti-junta stand, who is facing a sedition charge over his Facebook posts. &nbsp;</p> <p>On 1 August 2017, Watana Muangsook, a politician from the Pheu Thai Party, reported to the Technology Crime Suppression Division after he was accused of violating Article 116 of the Criminal Code, the sedition law.</p>

<p>The Defence Minister is looking to spend 3.2 billion baht more on new fighter jets &nbsp;</p> <p>On 1 August 2017, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy junta head and Defence Minister,<a href="https://www.khaosod.co.th/politics/news_458854">&nbsp;told the media&nbsp;</a>before the weekly cabinet meeting that the Ministry will inform the cabinet about plans to spend 3.2 billion baht on four F-5 Mod fighter jets.</p>

<p>The police have summoned a human rights lawyer who represented 14 well-known anti-junta youth activists imprisoned in 2015, accusing her of making false charges against officers. &nbsp;</p> <p>On 31 July 2017, Sirikan Charoensiri, a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), received a letter from Chanasongkram Police Station, summoning her to hear charges against her at 10:30 am on 8 August.</p> <p>The letter states that she is accused of violating Articles 172 and 174 of the Criminal Code for making false accusations against investigating officers.</p>

<p>After a two-year legal battle, a provincial court has concluded that a drug suspect who died in custody was beaten to death at the hands of police officers.</p>

<p>Soldiers and police officers have barred Muslim students from gathering to show solidarity with Palestine.</p> <p>On 29 July 2017, about 60 soldiers and police officers from Bangsue Police Station, both in uniform and plainclothes, disrupted a gathering of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mustfeth/">Muslim Students Federation of Thailand (MUSTFETH)</a> at Chatuchak Park in Bangkok.</p>

<p>A military court has revoked bail for an embattled anti-junta activist after summoning him to a witness hearing.</p> <p>At around 10 am on 27 July 2017, Jatuphat ‘Pai Dao Din’ Boonpattararaksa, a law student and key democracy activist, was taken to the Military Court of Khon Kaen for a witness hearing.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thursday his government was right to confiscate the bank accounts of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as it was a separate matter than her malfeasance trial, which has yet to render a verdict.</p>

<p>The Office of the Ombudsman of Thailand (OOT) has dismissed allegations of irregularities in the junta’s multi-billion baht submarine deal with China. &nbsp;</p> <p>Raksagecha Chaechai, Secretary-General of the OOT, announced that the OTT found no irregularities in the 13.5 billion baht submarine procurement of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), concluding that is not unconstitutional.</p> <p>He said a five-member committee tasked with investigating the matter concluded that the procurement was done in accordance with national strategic defence policy and that the RTN proposed the procurement.</p>

<p>The prosecutor has charged seven anti-mine activists in Isaan with breaking the public assembly law and intimidating public officials.</p> <p>On 25 July 2017, the prosecutor indicted seven members of the anti-mine activist group Khon Rak Ban Koed (KRBK) (translated as ‘People Who Love Their Home’) from six villages in Wang Saphung District of the northeastern province of Loei.</p> <p>The seven are Phonthip Hongchai, Ranong Kongsaen, Wiron Ruchichaiwat, Suphat Khunna, Bunraeng Sithong, Mon Khunna, and Lamphloen Rueangrit.</p>

<p>The Criminal court has accepted charges against a human rights lawyer facing five decades in prison for royal defamation and sedition.</p> <p>On 25 July 2017, the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Rd., Bangkok, <a href="http://www.tlhr2014.com/th/?p=4723">accepted charges</a>&nbsp;against Prawais Prapanugool, a human rights lawyer, after the prosecutor indicted him under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law and Article 116, the sedition law.</p>

<p>The police have detained a key witness of the 2010 military crackdown and another suspect in the Criminal Court bombing immediately after a military court released them on bail. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>On 24 July 2017, the Military Court of Bangkok released on bail Nattatida Meewangpla, Nares Intharasopa, Wasana Buddee, and Nuttapat Onming, suspects in&nbsp;<a href="https://prachatai.org/english/category/2015-criminal-court-bomb">the 2015 Criminal Court bombing</a>.</p>