Chucheep Chivasut

Chucheep Chivasut was a radio DJ accused of lese majeste. An arrest warrant was issued in August 2008. The case was initially reported by Time Up Thailand. Reported as disappeared on 8 May 2019.

Also known as Uncle Sanam Luang, Chucheep was given his largest yet public stage when the military junta began rounding up persons it described as treasonous and republican. Lese majeste and sedition charges were laid. The military junta repeatedly pressured Laos for their return to Thailand.

In September 2018, up to five persons were arrested in Thailand for distributing black t-shits, claimed to be connected with the Organization for a Thai Federation. The group was said to operate from Laos and sought to establish a “federal republic.” Gen Prawit  Wongsuwan claimed the t-shirts originate in Laos and that about 450 shirts had been seized. Prawit blamed a group of Thai anti-monarchists fleeing prosecution for lese majeste and pointed at Chucheep. Gen Prawit’s claimed that these republicans had a network in Thailand.

On YouTube there are videos that are actually more like radio programs, posted under the banner of Organization for Thai Federation and Sanamluang20082008. Some have hundreds of views and others more than 10,000. Clicking the links opens sites probably banned in Thailand.

It is believed that, following the gruesome murder of fellow activists and the disappearance of others – believed by many to have been victims of Thai military commando operations – Chucheep and his comrades fled to Vietnam. Arrested there, it is now believed they have been deported to Thailand on 8 May 2019.

However, neither Thai nor Vietnamese authorities acknowledge holding them or say anything of their fate. Police have reportedly stated that they have no knowledge of the men and their whereabouts. Deputy Dictator Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has denied the three are in state custody. Yet a family member of one of the men was told by a policeman that the military may be holding the trio incommunicado.

Family members of those “missing” petitioned embassies and UN agencies for information on the whereabouts of those who appear to have been “disappeared.” Given the fate of other exiles in recent months, some fear that these men have been murdered.

Despite this, in early 2020, the regime’s prosecutors brought sedition and “secret society” charges against Chucheep.

Media reports on Chucheep’s case:

Prachatai, 24 January 2020: “Four people jailed for suspected involvement in Thai Federation movement”

Khaosod, 14 May 2019: “Family Hopes Missing Republican is Still Alive”

TLHR, 14 May 2019: “Family and Friends of ‘Siam’ Meet the UN and Ask for Help to Locate Him”

Bangkok Post, 14 May 2019: “Activists need protection”

Khaosod, 14 May 2019: “Family of Disappeared Monarchy Critic Seeks Answers”

Bangkok Post, 13 May 2019: “Exile’s parents seek information on his disappearance”

Prachatai, 13 May 2019: “Thai government must disclose whereabouts of missing activists, say rights groups”

Thai Alliance for Human Rights, 10 May 2019: “Reported Deportation of Three Prominent Thai Anti-Monarchy Dissidents from Vietnam”

HRW, 9 May 2019: “Thailand: Critics Feared ‘Disappeared’”

Bangkok Post, 13 September 2018: “Woman gets bail after sedition interrogation”

The Nation, 13 September 2018: “Junta exacerbating seriousness of T-shirt case”

Bangkok Post, 12 September 2018: “CSD charges ‘traitorous’ T-shirt seller”

Bangkok Post, 12 September 2018: “Woman caught with ‘anti-monarchist’ shirts denies sedition”

Khaosod, 11 September 2018: “3 More Arrested Over Black T-Shirts, Lawyer Says”

Bangkok Post, 11 September 2018: “‘Separatist’ T-shirts came from Laos, says Prawit”

Khaosod, 10 September 2018: “Black Shirt Arrests Part of Crackdown on Republicans, Official Says”

The Nation, 10 September 2018: “Black T-shirt detainee gets to see her sons”

Khaosod, 7 September 2018: “Soldiers Raid Homes For Black Shirts, Abduct 2 Women: Watchdog”

Prachatai, 7 September 2018: “2 women arrested over pro-republic t-shirts”