BANGKOK — 23 July 2026, A 42-year-old man with a history of psychiatric illness was allegedly assaulted by a self-described vigilante group after posting social media content deemed critical of the Thai monarchy, before later becoming the subject of a lèse-majesté complaint under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).
TLHR said the man, identified under the pseudonym “Thanit,” was attacked on the evening of 22 July after members of a group calling itself “Kong Ruen Narok” (Hell Barracks) tracked him down at his residence in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district.
The group had reportedly begun posting messages about searching for Thanit on 20 July, claiming it would locate him within 24 hours. According to TLHR, the group accused him of posting videos and messages on social media that referred to the monarchy.
Video clips circulating online appear to show dozens of people surrounding Thanit outside his residence. TLHR said the footage showed members of the group physically assaulting him, including repeatedly slapping him, kicking him, stomping on his head and body, and striking him with knees and elbows. The group’s actions allegedly caused visible injuries, including bruising and damage to his glasses.
The group later took Thanit by pickup truck to Tao Poon Police Station, where a lèse-majesté complaint had already been filed against him on 21 July over Facebook Reels allegedly containing remarks about King Vajiralongkorn.
TLHR said police had not issued a summons or sought an arrest warrant for Thanit before the group brought him to the station. Members of the group reportedly remained in the area outside the police station afterward.
Police later examined and seized two of Thanit’s mobile phones before any charges had been formally filed, according to TLHR. The rights group said police records stated that Thanit consented to the seizure and allowed officers to access data on the devices.
The phones were reportedly seized as evidence in connection with the Article 112 complaint, which was filed after an individual alleged that content posted through Facebook Reels contained remarks considered defamatory toward the monarch.
Lawyers from TLHR later accompanied Thanit to Don Mueang Police Station, where he filed a complaint against those allegedly involved in the assault. They also requested that police send him for a medical examination.
When lawyers met Thanit at Don Mueang Police Station late on 22 July, TLHR said he had bruises across his body, a swollen lip and head pain. The following morning, he was admitted to hospital after complaining of severe chest pain and was placed under emergency treatment.
TLHR said Thanit has received psychiatric treatment since 2007. He was released from prison in 2024 and had since stopped taking medication. The group also said he is the primary caregiver for his mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over the actions of self-described vigilante groups targeting individuals accused of violating Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, as well as questions over due process and the treatment of suspects before formal legal proceedings begin.
Authorities had not publicly commented on the alleged assault or the status of the Article 112 complaint at the time of publication.
