Thai authorities appear to be stepping up their campaign against pro-democracy activists, especially those who are advocating monarchy reform.
This week alone, police have launched crackdowns including a raid on the office of a publisher in Bangkok and the issuing of new indictments for royal defamation.
Some 30 officers raided the office of the progressive Same Sky Books and Magazine on Jan. 20 and confiscated the mobile phone and computer of editor Thanapol Eiwsakul.
In addition, they searched the premises for a book titled Monarchy and Thai Society, which presents a case for liberalizing the Thai monarchy, according to staff at the publisher who posted photos of the raid online.
Liberal-minded Thais were quick to condemn the authorities over the raid in comments posted online.
“This is what repressive regimes do — try to outlaw honest and open debate,” one commenter said.
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