BANGKOK — Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has flatly denied allegations put forth in an Amnesty International report detailing widespread human rights violations under Thailand’s military regime.

Sek Wannamethee, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the report, titled "Attitude Adjustment –100 Days Under Martial Law," does not accurately reflect the situation in Thailand.

The report, which was published on AI's website yesterday, highlights how the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has arbitrarily detained nearly 600 people without charges for "attitude adjustment" for up to a week in military barracks. Some of the captives were held longer and report being tortured by military officers while in detention.

The report also expressed concern over the sweeping powers granted to the military under martial law, such as the authority to censor the media, ban public protests, and try civilians in military courts. 

“The Thai authorities should end this disturbing pattern of repression, end human rights violations, respect its international human rights obligations and allow open debate and discussion –  all of which are vital to the country’s future," said Richard Bennett, AI's Asia-Pacific Director.

Today, Mr. Sek said the AI report fails to note how Thai authorities have relaxed many of their powers in recent weeks.  

"We allow media like TV and radio to present news normally, and we have repealed the curfew," Mr. Sek explained. "As for the allegation about physical assaults, the NCPO has investigated the facts and concluded that no torturing of detainees ever took place."

Mr. Sek did not mention how the junta has continued to block hundreds of websites and intimidate media agencies from deviating from the NCPO’s narrative. 

Mr. Sek continued, "The AI report did not touch on the context that preceded what happened on 22 May, which was unceasing violence and unrest, especially the instability and danger that affected Thai people's basic human rights.

"It also did not reflect the opinion of a majority of Thais who think that the situation in Thailand has returned to normalcy in the last 100 days, and how people feel more confident in their safety."

The spokesperson insisted that the military is willing to ease its grip if the “situation improves.” He promised that the NCPO and interim government will work with Amnesty International and other agencies concerning the human rights situation in Thailand.

"We will maintain communication with AI to inform them about development in Thailand," Mr. Sek said.

Coup leader turned Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says the military takeover on 22 May was necessary to stop the confrontations between pro- and anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok from spiraling into violent chaos. 

The anti-government protesters, led by People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), paralysed parts of Bangkok for six months in an effort to oust then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Gen. Prayuth unilaterally declared martial law over the country on 20 May, ostensibly to disperse protesters and broker a peaceful compromise between political rivals. The general seized power two days later when top politicians from different factions failed to reach a compromise at an army-brokered "peace talk."

Gen. Prayuth was voted into the premiership – as the sole candidate – by his puppet parliament last month. The junta-appointed interim government, many of whom are active or former military officers, is expected to administer the country for the next year and pursue a wide range of national and constitutional reforms. Gen. Prayuth says elections will be held next October if the political situation is deemed "stable." 

BANGKOK — The Redshirt activist who went missing after he was arrested by soldiers last week has reappeared as a suspect accused of murdering soldiers and demonstrators during the mass Redshirt protests in 2010.

Kittisak Soomsri, 47, was arrested by soldiers on 5 September and held incommunicad0 for almost a week while the military denied having him in their custody, the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Wednesday.

However, Mr. Kittisak emerged at a police press conference yesterday where Thailand's new police chief, Pol.Gen. Somyot Pumpanmuang, identified him and four other suspects as the armed militants who fought with security forces during the mass Redshirt protests in April 2010. 

The other four suspects were identified as Preecha Yooyen, Ranarit Suricha, Chamnarn Phakeechai, and Punika Chusri. Two more suspects are still at large, Pol.Gen. Somyot said.

According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, the six men and one woman are the notorious "Blackshirt" militants who allegedly shot and threw grenades at soldiers and demonstrators during clashes between Redshirt protesters and security forces around Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue on 10 April 2010. 

Twenty civilians and five soldiers were killed in the clashes, including Col. Romklao Thuvatham, a high-ranking military officer who led the operation. 

Police had the five suspects dress in black and wear red armbands at yesterday’s press conference to illustrate their alleged identity as the "Blackshirt" militants. According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, the group was armed with an array of weapons during the clashes, including grenade launchers, hand grenades, and automatic rifles. 

Pol.Gen. Somyot refused to explain the circumstances behind their arrest.

"I will not disclose how and where they were arrested," the police chief told reporters. "I cannot tell our investigation methods to other bandits out there.”

Mr. Kittisak, the suspect who was considered missing until yesterday, confessed at the press conference to receiving the weapons and using them in the direction of soldiers. However, Thai police have a history of parading suspects in front of the media and extracting confessions from them that are later retracted.  

In a recent case, Wiwat Yordprasit, 24, aka the Popcorn Gunman, "confessed" in a press conference to shooting at pro-government demonstrators on 1 February, 2014. Later, Mr. Wiwat said through his lawyer that he was coerced and tortured by police into making the public confession. 

According to Pol.Gen. Somyot, police also uncovered a connection between the "Blackshirt" suspects and Kritsuda Kunasen, the 26-year-old Redshirt activist who was detained without charges by the military for nearly three weeks this spring, exceeding the seven day limit for arbitrary detention under martial law.

After fleeing to Europe upon her release, Ms. Kritsuda said she was beaten by soldiers while in military custody. Thai authorities denied the allegations and accused Mr. Kritsuda of purchasing weapons and distributing them to other underground Redshirt militants who allegedly staged attacks on anti-government protesters earlier this year.

"Police have found clear evidence that she transferred money to [the Blackshirt suspects], but we cannot disclose the exact figure. I can only say that it's a lot of money," Pol.Gen. Somyot said. "They work as a network. They have a leader, they have an ideology and hatred, and they get paid for it."

Nicha Thuvatham, widow of the late Col. Romklao who was killed in the 2010 clash, thanked Pol.Gen. Somyot and the police for yesterday arresting the suspected militants. 

"Their work regained my trust in justice system, which is an important part of the reconciliation process," Ms. Nicha said. "It also shows to society that the Men in Black who harmed the soldiers and the civilians really did exist."

She said she hoped police would expand the investigation and unmask the mastermind behind the Blackshirt movement.

"My husband will never come back. All I have left in this world is the duty … to find justice for society, for the sake of innocent lives of civilians and security forces," Ms. Nicha said. "Truth never dies. I can wait for justice, no matter how long it takes."

Over 90 people died in clashes between protesters in security forces in 2010, the majority of whom were civilians.

Although several court inquests in recent years have identified military forces as responsible for many of the casualties of the violence, no military officers or government officials involved in the crackdown have been held responsible.

Last month, a criminal court threw out murder charges against former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for authorizing the military crackdown.  Human Rights Watch called the move "an affront to basic justice and international law."

Meanwhile, scores of Redshirt demonstrators were held in jail on charges related to the unrest, 26 of whom were convicted in the first year after the crackdown. At least two Redshirt activists were jailed for 10 months before facing trials and never compensated for their time in prison despite being eventually acquitted.

BANGKOK — Chairman of Thailand’s military junta and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says that “dealing with” a suspected anti-monarchy network will be a top priority of his administration.

Gen. Prayuth outlined a strategy to "defend" the monarchy in a speech he is due to give to his puppet parliament, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), on Friday. The speech details a variety of policies that Gen. Prayuth’s semi-civilian interim government will pursue over the next year. 

The speech’s transcript describes the monarchy as an important element of Thai-style democracy and an institution that the Royal Thai Government is obliged to uphold "with loyalty and defence of His Majestic Authority."

"We will use legal measures, social-psychological measures, and telecommunications and information technology to deal with those who are not mindful of their words, are arrogant at heart, or harbour ill intentions to undermine the important Institution of the nation," the speech reads. 

Under Section 112 of Thailand's Criminal Codes, insulting the royal family is a criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. 

The law, known as lese majeste, has been harshly enforced since the military staged a coup against the elected government on 22 May. The Thai armed forces are close allies of the monarchy, and Gen. Prayuth, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the Thai army, has frequently lashed out at perceived anti-monarchists.

According to Gen. Prayuth’s speech, the government will also strengthen Thais loyalty towards the monarchy by publicising "correct understanding about the monarchy and His Royal Works for the people" and by supporting "projects that have been derived from His Royal Ideas, encourag[ing] officials, educational institutions, and other state agencies to study and understand His Royal Working Principles so that they can apply the aforementioned Principles in bureaucratic function and development."

"Furthermore, we will urgently expand the projects to which His Majesty has laid foundation in order to demonstrate [their effectiveness] to the public, and develop benefits in a wider circle, which will eventually help create prosperity and happiness for the people," the transcript reads.

Mass surveillance

Gen. Prayuth did not elaborate on the promised "legal measures, social-psychological measures, and telecommunications and information technology" that will be adopted by authorities, but a recent media report suggests that his government is ready to launch a large-scale internet surveillance program to monitor lese majeste content.

According to Prachatai, Thai authorities are planning to implement a surveillance device in mid-September to "sniff out" internet users that produce, read, and share lese majeste content.

The device, known as "sniffer," is reportedly capable of tracking key words related to lese majeste, monitoring traffic to certain websites, and even bypassing secured protocols, Prachatai reports. 

If true, it will be Thai authorities most ambitious effort yet to crack down on discussions of the Thai monarchy. 

Although discussing the monarchy is largely taboo in Thai society, a network of progressive Thais have begun questioning the power and wealth of the royal family and organised a campaign to amend or abolish lese majeste.

Radical elements of the Redshirt faction have also posted videos on social media that are critical of the monarchy. 

Conservative and ultra-royalist factions in Thailand regularly accuse the Redshirt movement and its de facto leader, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, of plotting to overthrow the monarchy and replace it with a republican form of government. Mr. Thaksin and his close allies have repeatedly denied the allegation.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s national anti-corruption agency says it is not investigating the 27 million baht sound system recently installed in the Government House.

"The NACC is not investigating the matter," said Panthep Klanarongklang, chairman of National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) at a press conference yesterday. 

Mr. Panthep was responding to mounting criticism over the purchase of 192 microphones that reportedly cost 145,000 baht each for the Cabinet meeting room in the Government House.

The 27 million baht price tag has prompted criticism from activists and news outlets across the political spectrum. It is the first serious case of suspected corruption associated with Thailand's military rulers, who seized power in a coup d’etat nearly four months ago.

Yet the NACC chairman said he has not received any complaints about the expensive audio system.

"Once someone files a complaint, we will investigate the purchases," Mr. Panthep said.

When a reporter asked why the NACC has not taken any action despite the public outcry, Mr. Panthep explained that the agency lacks "information" about the purchases.

"Although we have the power to investigate it, we can't just simply do it without adequate information. Right now, the NACC has no information at all,” Mr. Panthep said, even though the price of the lavish audio equipment is publicly accessible and has been posted on the website of Department of Public Works.

According to the document, in addition to the 145,000 baht-microphones, the military regime also ordered a 520,000-baht television screen, 19,000-baht TV wall mount, and 110,000 LED lamp for the Cabinet room.

The renovation was approved by the military junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Officials have attempted to quell the microphone controversy by claiming the equipment’s supplier agreed to give the Thai government a 35 percent discount.

"Representatives of Robert Bosch Limited have offered a special discount for the Government House renovation. They agreed to give a 35 percent discount as requested by the Department," said Monthol Sudprasert, chief of the Department of Public Works. 

"The price [of the microphones] is now down to 95,200 baht per piece," Mr. Monthol said yesterday. "They also agreed to give discount for other equipment … we will save a total of 14.1 million baht with this discount."

Mr. Monthol explained that the price posted on Bosch’s website was not a finalised one, and that officials have not yet paid the supplier for the equipment. 

"Let me stress that there has been no advanced payment, because it is still under a price negotiation procedure," the official added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Panthep said the NACC is "urgently" working to wrap up its investigation into former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s alleged failure to prevent widespread corruption in her government’s rice pledging scheme.