Assassination Attempt Wounds Northern Red Activist

Redshirt activist Niyom Lueangcharoen was shot and injured by unidentified gunmen in his home in the northern city of Chiang Mai on 19 June 2014.

CHIANG MAI — A prominent Redshirt activist was shot and injured by unidentified gunmen in his home in the northern city of Chiang Mai last night.

Niyom Lueangcharoen, aka "DJ Lae", was shot twice in his leg. His condition is now stable, police say.

Mr. Niyom is an active member of the local Redshirt community and co-founder the Red Lanna group in Chiang Mai province. 

Pol.Lt. Songsak Tanyadee, a police officer at San Kamphaeng Police Station, said an unknown number of assailants opened fire on Mr. Niyom from a nearby orchard where they were hiding. Mr. Niyom was brought to hospital by his relatives, Pol.Lt. Songsak said.

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The officer added that the police are investigating the incident and have not established a motive behind the assassination attempt. 

A veteran political activist, Mr. Niyom had previously been a member of the radical Love Chiang Mai 51 group and faced several lawsuits for his political activity. A ideological schism in the leadership of Love Chiang Mai 51 later led Mr. Niyom to leave organisation and found the Red Lanna network in June 2011.

Although police stress that there is not yet evidence that the shooting was politically-motivated, the attack occurred amidst an ongoing climate of fear in Redshirt provinces in the wake of the 22 May military coup d’etat.

Since seizing power from the Redshirt-allied government, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has summoned and detained hundreds of Redshirt activists, shutdown many Redshirt radio stations, and raided the homes of local Redshirt leaders.

 

 

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