A Thai rapper – crazy anti-military government music has gone viral – has been arrested, according to a group of human rights lawyers, hours after police prominent activist Arnon Nampa was re-arrested for his role in a protest calling for reform of the powerful monarchy.
Dechathorn Bamrungmuang was taken to a police station outside the capital Bangkok on Thursday “for documentation”, and is expected to be transferred to Samran Rat Central Station, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).
In a separate post on social media, June Sirikan, a lawyer for TLHR, wrote that the rap artist was accused of “sedition and other accusations”, after appearing and singing on stage during recent student-led pro-democracy protests.
Dechathorn, also known by his fans as Hockey, is the founder of the group Rap Against Dictatorship, which has carried out several anti-government protests in recent weeks.
The group’s single, What My Country’s Got, brought her fame but launched threats of legal action for her criticism of the Thai government, which is led by former military officials. They have more than 500,000 followers on the video platform, YouTube, and their songs have been viewed more than 100 million times.
At least four other activists were arrested during the day, including a lawyer Arnon Nampa – the second time he has been arrested this month.
Reform of monarchy
Arnon, 36, has been at the forefront of a movement that has staged protests almost every day in Thailand and was the first to openly call for changes in the role of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, by breaking a long-standing taboo .
According to reports, Arnon had also been accused of seduction and inciting public unrest, including crimes. He is already facing several other charges.
“The Thai government’s repeated promises to listen to dissenting voices have proved futile, as the attack on pro-democracy activists remains unabated,” he said. Brad Adams, Director Asia at Human Rights Watch said in a statement on Thursday. “The authorities must address them incorrectly and drop the charges immediately and release Arnon and other detention activists.”
Another arrest! Member of @RapAgainst Dictators #rappers singing on stage at youth-led pro-democracy protest! He will be charged with sedation and other costs. #WhatsHappeningInThailand https://t.co/VjpA8AA9xM
– June Sirikan (@JCharoensiri) August 20, 2020
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former leader of the military council that ruled Thailand, denied allegations by activists that last year’s elections were manipulated to keep him in power, and acknowledged demands from students, while warning that they should not touch the monarchy.
“There are 67 million Thais,” Prayuth told reporters on Wednesday. “I believe the majority does not agree with the Protestants.”
Protesters challenging the monarchy say greater democracy is impossible without changes that limit the king’s constitutional role in a country that has had 13 successful coups since absolute monarchy ended in 1932.
The Royal Palace did not respond to a request for comment.
Insulting the monarchy could lead to a 15-year prison sentence, but Prayuth said the king had asked that there be no prosecution under the Red Majesty laws. Sedition has a maximum term of seven years.
The protest movement on Sunday drew 10,000 people to the largest demonstration in years in Bangkok. According to her social media, artists Rap Against Dictatorship also attended that event.
Lawyer Arnon Nampa, center, was arrested Wednesday night, the second time he has been seized by police this month [Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters]
This week, some high school students also attended protests that began on university campuses.
Hundreds of Thai high school students marched on Wednesday at the Ministry of Education and flashed three-fingered “Hunger Games” salutes in support of protests against government and to demand more freedom in schools.
Many also wore white ribbons to show their support.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has filed a complaint about cybercrime against exiled academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun for creating a Facebook group that is critically considered the monarchy, a spokesman said.
The group, called Royalist Marketplace, has more than one million members.
The ministry said it had filed the complaint after Facebook had not acted on its request to shut down the group.
“The action of the ministry is the crudest form of information censorship. It goes against the freedom of expression to which we are all entitled,” Pavin told Reuters news agency.
.
