Thanapol Eawsakul, editor of the Same Sky academic journal, was released from detention at around 3.50 pm on Wednesday after he was arrested and detained -- for the second time --- on Saturday evening.
He was forced to sign, again, an agreement stating that he will stop all political activities and stop expressing opinions on politics.
Thanapol (right) holds the agreement paper, stating that he will stop all political activities and stop expressing opinions on politics before he is release.
He has been detained since Sunday at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD). The military took him to the 2nd Cavalry Division or Sanam Pao, Bangkok, on Wednesday morning to sign the agreement.
On Saturday, the military asked him to meet them at a coffee shop for a "talk" but then arrested him and detained him at the CSD. According to Thanapol, the military was not satisfied with his Facebook posts which touch on the policies of the junta government.
Thanapol was earlier arrested on 23 May, only a day after the coup, during an anti-coup protest in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Siam Square. Later he was detained for seven days after his name appeared on a summons list in Order No 5 of the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Those who have been summoned and released have had to sign agreements with the military stating that they will not participate in any political activity, nor express any kind of political messages, or travel abroad without the permission of the NCPO.
Thanapol Eawsakul (white t-shirt) prior to his arrest on 23 May during the anti-coup protest
Prachatai English is an independent, non-profit news outlet committed to covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite pressure from the authorities. Your support will ensure that we stay a professional media source and be able to meet the challenges and deliver in-depth reporting.
• Simple steps to support Prachatai English
1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank
2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”