Puthita, MP for Chiang Mai from the People's Party, demands the establishment of a committee to investigate police use of excessive force against protesters opposing cross-border water pollution, which resulted in a broken arm injury. She insists this is not a threat that should be met with forceful response.
On 8 July 2026, Ms. Puthita Chayanant, MP for Chiang Mai from the People's Party, held a press conference at the Parliament building regarding an incident on 6 July 2026. About 30 citizens organized an activity to address cross-border water pollution issues in the Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, Salawin, and Kra Buri rivers near the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai. They submitted a statement along with water samples and held symbolic activities calling for solutions to cross-border water pollution affecting the health and livelihoods of people in several northern provinces. The protest was legally notified in advance to the Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station under the Public Assembly Act B.E. 2558 (2015).
However, during the protest, police officers approached an area some distance from the consulate and used excessive force, resulting in at least two protesters being injured. Notably, Mr. Wisarut Srichan, secretary of the People's Movement for a Just Society (P-move), was pushed and fell, suffering severe injuries including a broken arm and dislocated shoulder. Subsequently, the Chiang Mai Provincial Police issued a statement affirming that their actions complied with legal procedures, adhered to internationally accepted tactics, and had no intent to use violence. Yet the fact that citizens suffered bone fractures from police actions clearly contradicts their statement.
Ms. Puthita further questioned the police’s conduct, asking whether such levels of force against peaceful protesters were proportionate according to international standards. “As a Member of Parliament for Chiang Mai, I affirm that the freedom to peacefully assemble without weapons is a fundamental right protected under Section 44 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand and Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Thailand is a party. Citizens voicing concerns to protect their rivers, which are their lifeblood, are not threats warranting a forceful response.” She then called for actions regarding the assault on protesters as follows:
1. The Royal Thai Police must urgently establish an independent fact-finding committee, disclose results publicly, and clarify the timeline to society.
2. Compensate and provide reparations to the injured for medical expenses and other damages unconditionally, and issue a public apology, as this incident clearly involved excessive force in an area distant from the consulate.
3. The government must expedite solutions to cross-border water pollution in the Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, Salawin rivers, which caused citizens to protest, by seriously negotiating with the upstream countries, as the People's Party leader, Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, urgently stated this morning.
Ms. Puthita also emphasized that the people are the rightful owners of the country and have the legitimate right to protect their homeland. The state has no legitimacy to use violence against citizens exercising their rights to call for solutions to problems neglected by the government. “The Royal Thai Police, including regional commanders and operation leaders, must explain and take responsibility for this case, without shifting blame to lower-ranking officers, to prevent a culture of impunity among state officials.”