The Court of Justice has confirmed that it filed criminal defamation and computer crime complaints against leading Chiang Mai activists protesting against the construction of a housing project for judges and judicial officials on Doi Suthep.
Posters were seen in downtown Chiang Mai on Nov 7 with the phrases “destroying the hearts of Chiang Mai people, disrespecting community rights and disrespecting Doi Suthep”. Below was a list of names and positions of “the first group” of five judges who allegedly are still living in the houses. Posts about them were also shared in social media.
Saravud Benjakul, secretary of the Office of the Court of Justice said that it, together with the affected judges, had already filed the complaints. He declined to say how many people were accused.
“We’ll take action against all people police find to have been involved. We’re acting by the law,” he said.
The judges are only performing their duties and the houses are not theirs, Mr Suravud said. “Besides, the houses were built legitimately. If anyone violates their rights, the office has the duty to protect them.”
The court building and housing complex cost taxpayers about one billion baht in total.
Mr Suravud said the charges were brought against only the protest leaders, not people who commented on social media posts.
According to reports, the complaints were filed in Chaing Mai and at the Phahon Yothin police station in Bangkok. Summonses had already been issued for those involved.
Since May, Chiang Mai people have been protesting against the use of the 99%-complete houses for judicial officials at the foot of Doi Suthep. They claimed the project left a strip of lush forests hideously bare and destroyed the view of the landmark mountain.
The protesters want the houses removed and the land reforested but the government has argued that a lot of taxpayers’ money had already been spent and the project could be put to other uses.
Both sides agreed that the project would be halted, the houses and some of the condominiums would not be occupied and some space must be left as a “no man’s land”. The talks will resume this month.
In October, the judges decided to move their northern office and the housing project to neighbouring Chiang Rai following the protests.
Officials are hoping to reach an agreement with the Chiang Rai Horticulture Research Centre to use part of its land for the new complex. It is not yet known how much the new development will cost the public.
In any case, Mr Suravud said, judges need assurances about their security as threats or pressure could affect their ability to do their jobs.
He said that a court marshal bill now being deliberated would bolster confidence among the 4,471 judges and 12,974 judicial officials nationwide.
“They need to be protected because they have the duty to rule on cases,” he said. “If any of them is under fear or pressure, people will be directly affected.”
Under the bill, marshals will be responsible for maintaining peace and order in courts. They will also be in charge of enforcing court orders, especially arrest warrants. Currently, such responsibilities rest with the police.
Authorities believe creating such positions would expedite the execution of some 20,000 outstanding arrest warrants at the Criminal Court currently.
The bill is now before the National Legislative Assembly after the cabinet endorsed it in late August.
