Thailand revokes passports of anti-coup activists

BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revoked passports of six people who oppose a coup staged by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on May 22, 2014 and defy the junta's orders to surrender. Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, in his capacity as Acting Foreign Minister, told journalists on Monday that the six persons include Charupong Ruangsuwan, former interior minister in the previous Yingluck Shinawatra government, who is also a former leader of the Pheu Thai Party, and Jakrapob Penkair, former minister attached to the prime minister's office in the past Thaksin Shinawatra administration. Sihasak said that both Charupong and Jakrapob have refused to report themselves to the NCPO as ordered and they announced on the YouTube website to set up the Organisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy (FT-HD) on June 24, 2014 to fight against the NCPO, with Charupong being its secretary-general and Jakrapob being its executive secretary and spokesman. Sihasak revealed that another person whose Thai passport is revoked is Chatwadee Amornphat, also known as Rose, who now lives in Britain and was also charged with insulting the Thai monarchy via YouTube. Another is former actor Atthachai Anantamek, who is now a pro-Thaksin red-shirt activist. According to the senior official, Jakrapob is now in Hong Kong, where Thailand did not have an extradition agreement with and his ministry is, thus, finding other ways to reach him. Meanwhile, NCPO Secretary-General General Udomdej Sitabutr told concerned authorities to inform the public that the Martial Court had evidence and other suspects' accounts to back its approved arrest warrant against Jakrapob for involving in the illegal use of war weapons. General Udomdej also ordered the explanation of the NCPO's necessity and operations through foreign diplomatic channels, in response to some foreign news reports implying alleged human rights violation by the NCPO. (TNA)