The Thai government has arrested another leader of the pro-democracy movement on Monday.
Panupong “Mike Rayong” Jaadnok, 24, was arrested after he showed up to confront Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha while the prime minister was visiting 100 Pillar Market in Ban Phe, Rayong.
He has now been arrested on sedition charges related to the Thammasat rally on August 10 where speakers broached the taboo topic of the monarchy.
The student protest leader asked Prayut about the land reclamation project to expand the third phase of Rayong’s Map Ta Phut port and questioned whether it is going to be beneficial for the locals.
He continued his questioning by asking how the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the project was conducted since most locals have not seen it.
While Panupong was holding up a sign to question the land reclamation process, police officers came over to read him the latest arrest warrant issued by the Pathumthani Provincial Court.
Local news reported that he is now being held at Phe Provincial Police Station. A call to the police station went unanswered.
Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, another student protest leader, posted on his Facebook page that Panupong is going to be transferred to Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathumthani Monday evening.
“There will be a protest in front of Khlong Luang Police station at 6 p.m.,” Parit told Thai Enquirer.
Panupong was first arrested on August 7 for sedition and other charges related to a rally which resulted in a small altercation between the police and protestors on July 18.
He was released on bail for those charges on August 8 with a surety of 100,000 baht.
