Thanathorn attacked at National Book Fair

An ultra-royalist known as “K 100 Million” (เคร้อยล้าน) attacked Progressive Movement leader and former Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit as he was signing books at the Progressive Movement Foundation’s booth at the annual National Book Fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) on Sunday (23 October).

K being removed from the convention hall after he attacked Thanathorn

Thanathorn told The Reporters that he was sitting at the booth, signing autographs and meeting supporters when the man came up behind him, put him in a chokehold and shouted “I have a bomb,” causing panic in the crowd nearby. Staff pulled the attacker away and held him on the ground before he was taken away by officers.

Matichon Online reported that K threw a bag onto the ground and shouted that he had a bomb, causing people to flee the area. Netizens also took to Twitter saying that a large number of people tried to run out of the hall where the fair was being held, and to criticize the QSNCC for the perceived lack of security.

Twitter user @mewmew_neramith posted a video clip of the attack. According to the caption, the user was filming his father and younger brother as Thanathorn was signing a book for them when the attack took place. The video shows Thanathorn sitting at a table before he was grabbed round the neck by K, who was then pulled off by nearby staff.

“K 100 Million,” or Khanetphitnuthep Chakraphobmahadecha, is known as an ultra-royalist with a history of psychological problems. He is often seen holding a picture of King Vajiralongkorn. On 12 June 2022, during a protest at the Din Daeng Intersection, K appeared at the protest wearing a yellow shirt. He then knelt down on the street and held up a picture of the King, before shouting praises of the King and insults at the protesters. He was later removed from the scene by police officers.

On 1 February 2022, it was reported that he released snakes onto the road at the Ratchaprasong intersection. On 13 February 2022, video clips of K were released online showing him standing by an escalator at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall holding a photo of King Vajiralongkorn. He poured a red syrup onto himself, shouting praises of the King and insults against monarchy reform protesters. The Siam Paragon management filed a complaint against him for public disturbance. 

In May 2022, he attacked Worawan Sae-aung, an elderly fruit vendor and regular protest-goer, during a gathering at Pathumwan intersection to demand the release of detained activists. A video of the incident shows K approaching Worawan, followed by plainclothes police. He told her that she is allowed to insult the Prime Minister, but not to touch the King, before slapping her in the face, causing her to fall.

According to reporters present at the scene, K and Worawan had not previously fought, and that police officers tried to talk to him when he appeared at the scene. He was held at Pathumwan Police Station overnight before being released on bail of 20,000 baht. He claimed that he was taking medication, but that he does not have any psychological condition.

Matichon Online later reported that Thanathorn went to the nearby Medpark Hospital for a physical examination, which he said would later be used as evidence to press charges against K for assault. He has bruising on his cheek and neck, but said that he was not punched and the injuries were sustained when he was choked.

He noted that the problem was that K shouted that he had a bomb, causing mass panic in the convention hall. He said he was told by other staff members that nearby participants ran towards the exit, and that others who saw them ran after them, leading to widespread confusion.

After the incident, officers from Lumpini Police Station took K to the station and charged him with alarming the public by circulating false information, which is punishable with up to 1 month in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

K claimed that he wanted to warn Thanathorn and did not touch him but he was attacked by guards. He also said he denied all charges. The police later took him to hospital for a physical and psychiatric assessment. It was reported that they left via the back of the police station to avoid reporters waiting outside.

According to the National Book Fair’s Twitter account, the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT), which organized the National Book Fair, is pressing both criminal and civil charges against whoever instigated the situation. ThaiPBS also reported on Monday (24 October) that Thanathorn has filed a complaint against K for assault.

Thairath Online reported yesterday (25 October) that, according to PUBAT president Thipsuda Sinchawarnwat, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre is also pressing charges against K, and that all parties involved agree that they will not be settling out of court.

Thipsuda told Thairath Online that PUBAT is suing K for the damages to at least 20 publishers, whose stalls and books were damaged while people attempted to escape the convention hall after K shouted that he has a bomb. She noted that the incident caused many publishers to lose their income, since their books may have sold better otherwise, and many customers did not return to the fair afterwards. Many publishers also found parts of their stock missing as their staff also fled the hall.

Police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas told ThaiPBS that the police will take the incident seriously, especially because K has previously been charged for other incidents, even though the police are still waiting for the result of his psychiatric assessment.

Metropolitan Police spokesperson Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsang-ek said that the police are also investigating whether K’s family are to be charged with negligence for allowing him to cause public disturbances.

Pol Maj Gen Jirasan also said that K has already been indicted for assaulting Worawan, and there is now an arrest warrant out for him since he did not report to the public prosecutor on the required date before attacking Thanathorn. He is also required to meet the inquiry officer for indictment on 3 November on charges relating to the incident where he released snakes onto Ratchadamri Road.

Police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas said yesterday (25 October) that the police are now waiting for the doctor’s reports. He also said that the police will consider both the incident at the Book Fair and previous charges, and will try to forward the case to court soon so that the court can rule whether K’s psychological condition is unsound and whether he needs to be admitted to a psychiatric institution.

 

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