Skip to main content

A state official filed lese majeste complaint against two men connected with a brother of former royal consort, for claiming about the monarchy to threaten the state authorities not to properly perform duties.

Lepakorn Siripmongkol, an officer of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), on Friday filed lese majeste complaint against Chakarn P. and Preecha D., and accused him of falsely claiming about the monarchy to pressure and threaten the ONCB officers not to perform duties in searching for illicit drugs, Thai News Agency reported.

Lepakorn said in September 2014, he led an ONCB team to search the house, owned by Preecha, in accordance with a court search warrant for illicit drugs. Preecha who later came to the house reprimanded the officers and called Chanakarn, who claimed to be the secretary of Nattapong Akharaphongpreecha (now Nattapong Suwadee), a brother of Srirasmi Suwadee, former royal consort to the Crown Prince. Chanakarn allegedly claimed about his link to the monarchy to threaten the ONBC officers to stop searching and leave the house.

On the following day, Preecha and Chanakarn allegedly came to the ONBC office and again reprimanded Lepakorn. They forced Lepakorn and other ONBC officers to apologize, Lepakron said.

Chakarn is now facing two lese majeste charges for falsely claiming about the monarchy related to abduction, and forcing a university to extend his student status.  He is now detained at Bangkok Remand Prison. Preecha also faced lese majeste charge related to the abduction, but is still at large. Nattapong is now in jail and facing several lese majeste charges for falsely claiming about the monarchy.

Prachatai English's Logo

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”