A well known Thai journalist has been detained by junta government for an “attitude adjustment,” reports Chiang Rai Times.
Pravit Rojanaphruk writes for The Nation newspaper and is known as being one of the few journalists still openly critical of the Kingdom’s military rulers.
Image Credit: Newtown Graffiti (Flickr)
It was announced yesterday by junta spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree that Pravit was being held for “presenting information that is not in keeping with the [junta] guidelines promoting peace and order”.
Since the announcement, numerous media groups have called for his release.
Since the coup in May 2014, a number of politicians, journalists and general citizens have similarly been detained for a brief incarceration for a so-called attitude adjustment.
They are typically incarcerated for seven days, with some given the option of early release if they sign documents promising not to repeat their transgression.
On top of the adjustment sessions, there have been an increased number of lese majeste charges in Thailand, with strict punishments for those found guilty.
The sudden strict enforcement of lese majeste has been described as ‘draconian’ and ‘deeply troubling,’ however junta spokesman Maj Gen Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak said: ”We are applying nothing new in terms of law enforcement, it’s just a matter of the previous administration neglecting to enforce the law properly.”
Freedom of speech in Thailand has been a hot topic of conversation in recent weeks, with one case in particular making headlines worldwide. Two Phuketwan journalists stood trial on defamation charges, after they reprinted a paragraph from a Reuters report. Phuketwan editor, Alan Morison said prior to the trial (where he was found not guilty), saying “Anything less than a no guilty verdict would be bad for freedom of the media really, internationally.”
Read the full story of Pravit Rojanaphruk’s detainment here.
