The Pheu Thai Party statement issued on Thursday questioning the government's summoning and charging of scholars who attended an international conference in Chiang Mai in July, and commenting that people in authority seemed "addicted" to wielding power. The Pheu Thai Party has warned the government its strict enforcement of harsh laws restricting public gatherings and freedom of expression is hindering efforts towards national reconciliation. The Pheu Thai statement criticised the military-engineered government for summoning and charging five people who participated in an international conference on Thai studies in Chiang Mai on July 18. They included the event organiser, Chiang Mai University scholar Chayan Vaddhanaphuti. The Pheu Thai Party said the government may have become "addicted" to power in continuing to exercise laws such as Section 116 of the Criminal Code, which is aimed against sedition or incitement to commit wrong.

Source: Bangkok Post September 07, 2017 04:30 UTC