Cyber police raided the home of a hot-headed man who posted insults and death threats against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The suspect was located and summoned for questioning, then charged under Section 392, which carries a penalty of up to one year imprisonment and a 10,000 baht fine. He confessed, saying he acted impulsively and lost self-control due to disappointment in Thai politics and broken promises.
On 7 Nov 2023 GMT+7, Police General Torsak Sukwimol, Commissioner of Police, along with Police Lieutenant General Thana Chuwong, Acting Deputy Commissioner, and Police Lieutenant General Samran Nuanma, Assistant Commissioner, ordered Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakhonbancha, Commander of the Cyber Crime Division, to direct Police Major General Wiwat Khamchamnarn, Deputy Commander of the Cyber Crime Division, Police Major General Chatchaphandkan KlaiKlueng, Commander of Cyber Crime Division 1, Police Colonel Thanut Kongmun, and Police Colonel Preeda Kongjad, Deputy Commanders of Cyber Crime Division 1, and Police Colonel Supatthachot Chamhong, Head of News Analysis Unit, Cyber Crime Division 1,
to execute a search warrant from Thonburi District Court No. K.32/66 dated 6 Nov 2023 GMT+7. They searched a house in Chom Thong district, Bangkok, to collect evidence in a case where a user on platform X (formerly Twitter) posted messages insulting and threatening the Prime Minister.
This followed a report on 5 Nov 2023 GMT+7 from the Anti Online Scam Operation Center (AOC), hotline 1441, of the Cyber Crime Division, which identified a user on platform X who posted offensive and threatening language against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Investigation revealed that a 29-year-old man, referred to as Mr. A (alias), was responsible for the posts. Authorities gathered evidence and obtained a search warrant from Thonburi District Court. They searched his residence and issued a summons for him to give a statement. Upon arrival, Mr. A was found living at the searched house.
During questioning, Mr. A apologized for his offensive remarks. Regarding legal matters, he said that if a complaint was filed, he was willing to go to the police station to acknowledge the charges, accepting responsibility for his words as his own actions.
He admitted that his two posts stemmed from following the news and feeling disappointed with the political party he supported. He felt let down because the situation after the election was completely different from before. After watching the news and seeing that the statements made did not match the promises, combined with the party's actions, he felt angry each time. After posting, he was also subjected to personal attacks and threats, which led him to issue a public apology and cease all related activity.
Initially, authorities took him for questioning at Cyber Crime Division 1 and charged him under Section 392 of the Criminal Code: "Whoever causes another person to fear or be alarmed by intimidation is liable to imprisonment not exceeding one month, or a fine not exceeding ten thousand baht, or both." The case will proceed according to the law.