Watch this video — and decide whether Thailand’s Abhisit Vejjajiva regime has descended to the levels of political repression associated with the totalitarianism of past military regimes. This is the arrest of Nathee Sarawari (นที สรวารี). He shouts as he is carried away by plainclothes police (or are they military?) that he has not broken the emergency decree because he was by himself.
Update: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/186754/pm-demands-answers-over-deaths) reports that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said “the red shirt supporters’ plan to organise an event today marking the dispersal of the red shirt demonstration two months ago on May19 did not worry the government because he thought the public now understood well enough what happened not to be misled by any side.”
Not worried? As PPT showed in the video, Nathee Sarawari was arrested yesterday for shouting words the government found impossible to deal with in a public place. Here’s how the Post reported it: “[P]olice yesterday detained Nathi Sorawari, chairman of the Issarachon Association, a non-governmental organisation working with the homeless. Mr Nathi was picked up by police while he was taking part in a rally near the Ratchaprasong intersection. He yelled repeated phrases about red shirt supporters being killed in the military dispersal of the demonstrators. Police took him to Lumpini police station but later released him without charge.”
Detained for no legal reason it seems.
Further Update: Bangkok Post now reports: “On Sunday, Nathee Sornwaree, 40, criticised the security forces’ operation in May in front of Gaysorn Plaza shopping complex. He was arrested and taken to Lumpini police station where he was fined 100 baht before being released.” What was the charge that resulted in a fine? Yelling in a CRES-designated area for the rich? Angering the premier? Being just too willing to speak out?
