Police goons, repression and stalking

Thai Enquirer has reported on “police are continuing a programme of harassment and intimidation against anti-government dissidents and members of the press by visiting homes unannounced and stalking relatives and friends of their targets.”

Clipped from The Nation

This is abuse by the Royal Thai Police.

According to iLaw, “at least 18 activists and journalists, including Sirote Klampaiboon a prominent reporter for Voice TV, has been visited by the police at their house between January 1 and 24.”

A university student protest group wants “an investigation into the police. They say many of those facing intimidation by security forces are not charged with any crime and should not be the subject of such intimidation.”

Amarat Chokepamitkul, an MP of the Move Forward Party, states: “The police have been doing this continuously… They have not stopped, especially in rural areas…”. Amaret added: “What I believe is disgusting is when they visit the houses and they could not find the activist, they will psychologically harass their family or neighbors instead…”. She said that “officers usually do is ask the neighbors about the whereabouts and the daily activities of the activist and then told them to beware of the activist as a dangerous individual and a threat to national security.”

Such visits are not one-offs, but regular.

These are Stasi tactics or, more recently, Chinese state tactics. References to goons seems appropriate.