Thai police go after moms who held vigil seeking release of their activist children

The mothers of a pro-democracy campaigners stand accused of violating the emergency pandemic decree by joining a protest last month calling for the release of their children.

Lt. Col. Phitsanu Kerdthong of Chana Songkram police said today that they have summoned several participants over the vigil held at the Supreme Court. The news came to light after student protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, who was recently freed on bail after contracting COVID-19 behind bars, said yesterday that her mother was called in for questioning today. Panusaya published the police summons, which alleged that Suriya Sithijirawattanakul and other mothers violated public health measures because their gathering exceeded 20 people.

Lt. Col. Phitsanu said he was too busy to comment on their cases further. 

Panusaya, who has risen to become a movement icon, wrote that the…