<p>The Thai police have arrested 42 people at checkpoints for the royal cremation. </p>
<p>On 31 October 2017, deputy police chief Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul revealed that 42 people were arrested at checkpoints screening the participants at the funeral of the late King Bhumibol, which took place on 26 October, according to <a href="https://www.khaosod.co.th/breaking-news/news_605097">Khaosod Online</a>.</p>
<p>He said the 42 had been accused of criminal offenses and had outstanding arrest warrants. But he refused to reveal details about the charges against those arrested.</p>
<div>Surat Thani farmers have called for protection from to various government agencies after two companies initiated lawsuits against them and destroyed their corps. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On 12 September 2017, <a href="https://prachatai.com/journal/2017/09/73214">13 farmers</a> from Southern Peasants Federation of Thailand (SPFT) filed a petition to Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT), Royal Thai Police (RTP), and National Human Right Commission (NHRC) to help them in the lawsuit they are facing.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The prosecution against the farmers emerge from a land disput
</div>
<p>A respected academic has been summoned by the police to hear charges filed against him in February by the national police chief for allegedly defaming the police.</p>
<p>On 6 July 2017, Sungsidh Piriyarangsan, Dean of the College of Social Innovation of Rangsit University, was summoned to Lumpini Police Station in Bangkok to hear charges arising from a public forum in January about police reform.</p>
<p>The junta leader has named an army general as the head of a committee to reform the police force. Meanwhile, a civil society group advocating police reform has denounced the committee for lack of public participation. </p>
<p>After a legal battle lasting almost 8 years, a torture victim wrongfully arrested for theft has lodged a civil lawsuit against the Thai police.</p>
<p>Rittirong Chuenjit, 26, on 26 May 2017 filed suit against the Royal Thai Police at the Southern Bangkok Civil Court.</p>
<p>Political activists have urged the police to release Jatuphat ‘Pai Dao Din’ Boonpattararaksa, saying the court decision to repeatedly reject his bail requests is ‘unconstitutional’. </p>
<p>On 5 May 2017, Chalita Bundhuwong, a Kasetsart University lecturer, and Nuttaa Mahattana, an independent political activist, submitted a letter to Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, Chief of the Royal Thai Police, at the National Police Office in Bangkok.</p>
<p>A criminal court is refusing to accept a lawsuit by the parents of a drug trafficking suspect who died in police custody until court fees are paid.</p>
<p>On 27 February 2017, Southern Bangkok Criminal Court <a href="https://voicefromthais.wordpress.com/?s=%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99">ruled not to accept</a> a lawsuit against the Royal Thai Police (RTP) filed by Wasana and Phanom Koedkaeo, parents of Anan Koedkaeo, 34, a drug trafficking suspect who died in suspicious circumstances three days after being interrogated.</p>
By Kongpob Areerat |
<p dir="ltr">News of police scapegoating innocent victims has inspired public calls for police reform. But amidst announcements by the junta that it will push ahead with planned reforms to the police force, some believe the initiatives will only increase the regime’s grip over the nation’s law enforcers. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The Thai police chief has filed criminal defamation charges against speakers at a discussion critical of the police force.</p>
<p>On 14 February 2017, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), authorized Pol Col Worawit Yanchinda, Acting Superintendent of the Directorate of Metropolitan Police Bureau, to file a legal complaint against Sungsidh Piriyarangsan, Dean of the College of Social Innovation of Rangsit University, and Pol Col Virut Sirisawatdibut, former Deputy Commander of Chainat provincial police.</p>
<p>The Thai police have denied a rumour that an individual has been arrested for threatening to assassinate deputy junta head Gen Prawit Wongsuwan.</p>
<p>On 3 February 2017, Pol Col Kritsana Pattanacharoen, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), <a href="http://www.tnamcot.com/content/648190">denied rumour</a><u>s</u> about an arrest concerning a threat to kill Prawit, deputy junta head and Defence Minister.</p>
<p>He told the media it was only a rumour and that the police and the military have been cooperating closely on the matter.</p>