The military has filed charges against participants in last week’s pro-election rally in Chiang Mai for violating the junta’s ban on political gatherings.

 

On 20 February 2018, Lt Ekkaphon Kaeosiri, a military prosecutor, filed charges against four student activists and two villagers who participated in a pro-election rally in front of Chiang Mai University on 14 February. The authorities accused them of violating the Head of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Order No. 3/2015, the junta’s ban on the political gatherings of five people or more.

 

The six are Prasit Kharutharot, 23, Sitthichai Khammi, 21, Yamaruddin Songsiri, 21, Chatuphon Khammi, 21, Chitsachi Namwong, 56, and Od Chaengmun, 33.

 

The military accused the six of joining a political assembly without permission from the junta. If found guilty, they face up to six months in prison and fines of up to 10,000 baht.

 

An organiser of the event (name withheld due to privacy concerns) explained that they had already asked for permission to hold the activity from Phuping Rajanivej Police Station, but the authorities had denied the request.