The activists were arrested yesterday as they attempted to march to Government House to push for an early election. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has insisted that the poll will be no sooner than early 2019. “The arrest of peaceful democracy activists calling for free and fair elections shows that Thailand’s military junta has no intention of easing its oppressive rule,” said Brad Adams, HRW Asia director, on Tuesday. “Gagging peaceful public protests makes a mockery of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s self-proclaimed commitment to return Thailand to democracy,” he added. “With each new politically motivated arrest, Thailand’s path toward democracy is fading,” Adams said.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 23, 2018 02:26 UTC