The junta head has confirmed the allegation that police officers followed the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her New Year holiday, saying it is normal for her to be followed.

 

On 3 January 2016, Yingluck posted on her Facebook page that she was closely followed by police officers and administration officials in plainclothes during a New Year trip with her family in Northern Thailand. The authorities also talked to shopkeepers and vendors that Yingluck visited, which is not an ordinary practice in her opinion.

 

“In this period of time, state agencies should allocate their officials to taking care of people’s lives, rather than following my life,” read Yingluck’s post.    

 

A day later, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta head and Prime Minister, told the media that the authorities really did stalk Yingluck during her holiday in order to ‘secure’ her life. However, he has urged the authorities not to disturb her private life.

 

Prayut also told Yingluck not to complain much since it is normal for her to be followed, reported Matichon Online.