Freedom of speech ‘no justification’
A group of senators have vowed legal action against angry Move Forward Party (MFP) supporters who they claim have targeted them on social media.
Senator Seree Suwanpanont said he and his colleagues had been defamed and intimidated on social media, adding that their families or businesses have also faced similar threats.
He said the senators would pursue criminal and civil action against those found to be behind the attacks.
Online threats made against many senators followed last Thursday’s prime ministerial vote in which MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to win sufficient support to become Thailand’s new prime minister. The MFP and its supporters have blamed Mr Pita’s failed bid on those senators who refused to vote for him.
Mr Seree said last week’s PM vote was a normal parliamentary process while adding that online intimidation directed at the senators and their families affects their civil rights.
Among those allegedly venting anger towards the senators were two well-known lawyers, Decha Kittivittayanan and Phattarapong Supakson.
Mr Seree said libel suits had been filed against the two lawyers.
“We will be pursuing legal action, both criminal and civil, to teach them a lesson that they can’t just violate the rights of others in the name of freedom of expression,” he said.
These people might not be wise enough to realise that most of the vendors selling their products at his Seree Market, which was also a target of online abuse, are actually MFP supporters and are now suffering the consequences of such attacks, he added.
More than half of the workers employed at the Moh Seng Chinese herbal business owned by the family of Senator Wiwat Sangsuriyachat, also under online attack, voted for the MFP in the May 14 election, said Mr Seree.
AI technology had also been used in such online attacks, he said.
“It’s time to change society. Freedom of expression doesn’t apply to intimidating or threatening those with a different opinion,” said Senator Somchai Sawangkarn.
The daughters of some senators have also received rape threats, he said.
National police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong has confirmed that police are protecting senators who had asked for extra security following intimidation and threats.
“People should never go too far with freedom of expression and break laws, including the anti-defamation law, Computer Crime Act and personal information protection law,” said Pol Lt Gen Archayon.
“I hope those who are intimidating, verbally insulting or interfering with others’ business will stop acting unlawfully and stirring up conflicts,” said Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.