A colonel who allegedly gave activists the finger in Phayao province, as well as his unit, has apologised to all parties involved.
The 34th Military Circle issued the statement on Thursday after a video clip showing Col Tinnachart Sutthirak, an intelligence officer, arguing with a group of We Walk activists and local villagers spread in social media.
Col Mongkol Pakamma, chief of staff of the military circle, held a briefing on Thursday to apologise to all sides.
He also said a panel would take three days to probe into his actions and he would take disciplinary action against him based on its recommendation.
Col Tinnachart also apologised to the villagers and We Walk activists, saying it was not his intention and he was just shaking his hand.
On Tuesday, villagers from Doi Devada village, Phu Sang district, and We Walk activists went to Phayao city hall to submit a letter to the governor.
They wanted the authorities to drop the charges of violating the junta’s No.3/2558 order banning public assembly of more than five people. As well, they wanted to show moral support to detained group members.
Col Tinnachart came out to meet them.
“You’re twisting the facts. What are you submitting? I haven’t pressed charges against any of you for breaching the No.3/2558 order but you wrote on Facebook that we did. How did you know?” he said in a loud voice.
He then raised a hand and showed the finger for a split second before turning back (minute 11.11 in the video clip below).
When a villager said: “See? He gave us the middle finger”, he turned back and said: “It’s up to you. You’re distortionists. We haven’t proceeded but you're trying to use this against us.”
The villagers then argued some of them had been detained at the police station on this charge and a court order was sought to detain them.
The colonel retorted they were not put in cells. “They could use their phones and take selfies there,” he said.
The villagers argued while it was true they were not put behind bars, they were not free to go.
The colonel then told one of the city hall’s staff it was up to them to accept the letter.
(minute 11.11)
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