A reporter for the Khon Kaen-based news outlet Isaan Record was visited on Saturday (15 February) by police officers who said they were ordered to monitor royal defamation defendants.

The Isaan Record reported that Phongsatorn Tancharoen, a former activist-turned-reporter, was visited by 2 police officers while working at its office on Saturday morning (15 February). The officers told Phongsatorn that they were ordered by the Region 4 Provincial Police Commissioner to monitor people who have been charged with royal defamation, and that police across the country have been ordered to monitor royal defamation defendants in their respective regions.

Phongsatorn is among the 8 activists charged with royal defamation, among other charges, for participating in the 25 November 2020 protest in front of the Siam Commercial Bank headquarters, giving speeches about the transfer of crown property to the King’s personal property and calling for monarchy reform. Witness examination in the charges against him will take place in September – October 2025.

Phongsatorn said that he often received calls from the police in 2020, while he was participating in the pro-democracy movement. Officers also visited his home in Kalasin to question him about protests he planned to organise. Before Saturday’s visit, the last call he received from the police was on 17 December 2023.