Thai activists accused of insulting monarchy 'disappear' in Vietnam
Source: The Guardian
Thai activists accused of insulting monarchy 'disappear' in Vietnam
Deputy PM denies reports that Thailand is holding the three dissidents in custody
Hannah Ellis-Petersen South-east Asia correspondent
Fri 10 May 2019 12.25 BST First published on Fri 10 May 2019 09.29 BST
Three Thai activists facing charges of insulting the monarchy have disappeared after reportedly being arrested in Vietnam, months after two exiled critics of the military and monarchy died.
The three dissidents had fled lese-majesty charges and continued to broadcast anti-monarchist and anti-junta commentary from exile. Chucheep Chiwasut known as Uncle Sanam Luang Siam Theerawut and Kritsana Thapthai were reportedly stopped after crossing over the border from Laos into Vietnam a month ago, reportedly using fake passports.
According to Human Rights Watch, Vietnam handed the dissidents over to Thai authorities on 8 May, but they have not been seen since, and there has been no acknowledgement of their arrest and detention. Thailands deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, denied the activists were in Thai custody.
Brad Adams, the executive director of Human Rights Watch Asia, said: Vietnams alleged secret forced return to Thailand of three prominent activists should set off alarm bells in the international community.
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/10/thai-activists-accused-of-insulting-monarchy-disappear-in-vietnam