BANGKOK — Speaking to a group of young Thais who were raised abroad, junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha stressed the importance of revering the Thai king, who he described as a "deity" that never interferes in politics.

Gen. Prayuth was speaking to 37 children and teenagers who were raised in America and invited by the government to visit Thailand and learn about its culture.

In the speech, the general explained that the Thai monarchy is "unique" and needs the special protection of the Kingdom’s lese majeste law, Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Codes, which punishes criticism of the royal family with up to 15 years in prison.

Gen. Prayuth, who came to power by staging a coup d'etat against an elected government on 22 May 2014, also told his young audience that he would return democracy to Thailand after a new constitution is approved in a referendum, which is set to take place in January of next year. 

The following is an excerpt from his speech, which he delivered at the Government House this morning during an event titled "Young Thais in America Visiting the Motherland":

"I want you, young people, to think about the monarchy of Thailand, which has provided spiritual guidance for the entire nation for a long time, unlike any other nation. In the past, everything was initiated by the monarchs, be it railways, waterworks, or other things. And then, a government was set up to continue the works. But an important thing that many groups try to do is to compare our monarchy with other nations. This cannot be done, because our [monarchy] has a long, ancient history. They [Thai monarchs] are like deities. Our King is not involved with anyone. He is above all disputes. 

When someone violates him, we need to use Section 112 of the Criminal Codes, which is like a libel law, because whenever someone insults us, we can sue them, but if it's the monarchy, [the royal family] cannot sue them. This is because His Majesty is not involved with anyone, and he is under the constitution, and under every law that the government has created to protect him. Yet, people see it as human rights issue. 

Let me ask you: if someone insults your father, would you give in? We wouldn't. But if it happens to our parents, they can sue. But since His Majesty the King is not involved, he cannot sue, and who would take care of him? Thai people have to. Whoever doesn't understand this is not a Thai. They are awful. This is a sensitive matter. I would like to ask the audience to explain that the monarchy of Thailand is not like the monarchy in any other country. 

It's like our democracy. It's kind of hard to achieve, so it will be hard for people to forget about it, too. If it could be achieved too easily, it wouldn’t work because people wouldn't know what the laws are. That cannot be done. I ask you, are we going to be American model [of democracy]? No. Let's take a look at America … Their [democracy] was born before ours. They reformed their country before we did. They abolished slavery many years ago. I am not saying anything bad about them, because I believe that our country is our country. We have to respect each other. 

Today they don't touch me much. They only want us to have an election, which I already explained would follow the road map. The [interim] constitution explains the timeline, and I will not amend it. Anything [the people] want me to fix or do for them, I do for them. If they want a referendum, I let them have it. Elections will be held only if the [new] constitution passes the NRC [National Reform Council] and then the referendum. And the time will be extended for two months, and we will need to write organic laws for the constitution. This is all in accordance with normal procedures. Yet they accuse me of wanting to stay in power. I ask you, can it be done? Whatever the law and the rules say, it has to be that way."

The junta chairman also asked the children to be careful when they read news on social media, and urged them to be special ambassadors who spread goodwill and understanding about Thailand among foreigners. 

BANGKOK — The fourteen pro-democracy activists released from prison this morning say they will continue to campaign against the ruling military junta until democracy is restored in Thailand.

The activists, eleven of whom are university students, were freed from prison after 12 days this morning following the military court's decision not to extend their pre-trial detention. They were arrested on 26 June for leading a small pro-democracy rally in Bangkok, and charged with violating the junta's ban on protests and inciting unrest.

The group is facing up to 7.5 years in prison, and will be tried in a military court, which the junta granted jurisdiction over "national security" cases following the May 2014 coup. 

Rangsiman Rome, a law student at Thammasat University, said he and his friends were woken up by prison wardens at 4.30 am this morning and told to get ready for their release. The group was always treated well by officials during their time in prison, he added.  

"As for the rights, liberty, and democracy that we have been campaigning for, we will continue to do so, as long as Thai society is not yet democratic and is still ruled by dictatorship," Rangsiman declared outside of the prison this morning. "We will not run anywhere, because we have announced since the beginning that we believe in our non-violent approach, and we are willing to be arrested in order to show the world what Thai society is like in the present time." 

He continued, "As for people who try to discredit us, I would like to ask them to use their wisdom to see whether what we do is violent. Some people also try to discredit us by saying we were paid by foreign agencies to campaign. I can only laugh at the accusation, because what is really behind us is the five principles of democracy, justice, human rights, public participation, and non-violence."

Jatupat Boonpatararaksa, a Khon Kaen University student whose nickname is “Pai,” thanked those who visited him at prison and showed support for the group in their daily rallies.

"We will not run anywhere, because we have already made the decision to fight, so we will have to fight until we have our success,” he said. “We will not negotiate. We will not compromise. Twelve days in prison has made us stronger. If they want to send us back there, we are ready for it."

He added, "Since this society has no freedom anyway, it doesn't make much difference being in our outside prison."

Chonticha Chaengrew (center) and Rangsiman Rome (right) outside of Bangkok Remand prison after their release, 8 July 2015.

Chonticha Chaengrew, the lone female activist in the group of fourteen, said she was upset with officials from the women’s prison who insisted on driving her home this morning, even though she told them her entire family was waiting for her outside of Bangkok Remand Prison, where the male activists were released.

"They made my mother worry so much," Chonticha said. "I want the prison officials to apologize to her, because my mother had been waiting for me there. The officials should have released me in the public, instead of doing it in secrecy like that." 

Among the crowd of supporters welcoming the fourteen activists this morning was Payao Akhard, the mother of a volunteer medic who was shot dead by soldiers during the 2010 crackdown on Redshirt protesters. She said she sympathized with the students, who have recently been the target of spurious accusations. 

"Right now, the students are also being accused of having someone backing them," said Payao, referring to the junta's accusations that politicians and foreign agencies are funding the student group. "I want those in power to study some history so that they will see things in a clear way."

The fourteen activists embraced their supporters and families, talked with reporters, and sang an activist song in unison before dispersing from the scene peacefully. 

The jailing of the activists sparked the largest public show of dissent against Thailand’s military junta since the first week after the 22 May 2014 coup. Hundreds of people in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and cities around the world have staged demonstrations over the past 12 days to show their support for the group and demand their immediate release.

In addition to Rangsiman, Chonticha Chaeng-rew, and Pai, the activists include Ratthapol Supasopon, Songtham Kaewpanpruek, Pornchai Yuanyee, Pakorn Arrekul, Abhisit Sapnaphana, Apiwat Suntararak, Payu Bunsophon, Panupong Srithananuwat, Suwitcha Thipangkorn, Supachai Pukrongploy, and Wasan Sethsitthi.

BANGKOK (DPA) — The trial for last year's beach murder of two British holidaymakers began in Thailand on Wednesday.

Two migrant workers from Myanmar are accused of the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge and the murder of David Miller on the island resort of Koh Tao in southern Thailand.

The Samui provincial court on Wednesday summoned police forensics investigators to defend DNA evidence that has been widely questioned.

Suspects Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were arrested in October and confessed, but later withdrew their statements saying they were tortured.

The families of the victims, also attending the trial, have expressed sympathy for the Myanmar suspects and reservations over the conduct of the investigation.

Activist group the Migrant Workers Right Network, which raised funds for the defence, said it welcomed the two families' attendance as "the most important trial observers."

Defence lawyer Nakhon Chomphuchat called on media to report the case in a "correct manner," and said he was confident the trial would demonstrate that the Thai justice system functions to international standards.

BANGKOK — The fourteen activists charged with sedition for their peaceful anti-junta campaigns have been released from prison, though they are still facing a trial in martial court and up to seven years in jail.

The fourteen, eleven of whom are university students, were arrested on 26 June after they organized a small pro-democracy rally in Bangkok last month. A military court ordered the group to await trial in prison, but decided to release them yesterday after 12 days, accepting their lawyers' argument that the defendants had no intention to flee the country or interfere with the evidence. 

However, a prison official said yesterday that the activists would not be released until this morning because prison regulations prohibit releasing  inmates at night.

Supporters and families of the fourteen activists camped out over night in front of Bangkok Remand Prison and Bangkok Central Women Correctional Institution, where thirteen men and one woman were held respectively, to await their release. 

At around 6 am, a large van drove out of the prison building compound, prompting supporters to run after the vehicle. The van stopped just outside the prison's outer gate, and the thirteen male activists stepped out of the vehicle to loud cheers from the crowd. 

Rangsiman Rome, one of the activists, told Matichon that he and others were well treated by prison wardens throughout their 12 days detention. He said he had to consult with his friends about the group’s next move.

"I insist that we will continue to fight," Rangsiman told Matichon. "I will not only ask for democracy. These arrests were not the end, but a new beginning of our struggle." 

He also said he and other activists never considered posting bail to secure their release because they believe the martial court has no legitimacy to try civilians.

The fourteenth activist, 22-year-old Chonticha Chaengrew, arrived in front of Bangkok Remand Prison later because officials from the women’s prison reportedly insisted on driving her her home, even though no one was there at the time.

The fourteen activists, who call themselves the New Democracy Movement, are still facing up to 7.5 years in prison for charges of violating the junta’s ban on public gatherings and "inciting unrest." They are also facing additional outstanding arrest warrants for organizing anti-junta demonstrations on the one-year anniversary of the 22 May coup d'etat. 

In addition to Rangsiman and Chonticha, the group includes Ratthapol Supasopon, Songtham Kaewpanpruek, Pornchai Yuanyee, Pakorn Arrekul, Abhisit Sapnaphana, Jatupat Boonpatararaksa, Apiwat Suntararak, Payu Bunsophon, Panupong Srithananuwat, Suwitcha Thipangkorn, Supachai Pukrongploy, and Wasan Sethsitthi.

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