Lese majeste suspects ‘bottled up in Laos’

A number of suspected lese majeste offenders are holed up in Laos and police will work with public prosecutors and Interpol to track them down, the national police chief says. Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said the Thai and Lao governments have discussed the matter and police are waiting for the green light to proceed. Prosecutors will have to work with the Foreign Ministry to seek the extradition of suspects hiding in Laos, he said. He insisted police are not standing idle on the issue and will expedite efforts to bring them back. The police chief’s remarks came after Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Monday revealed Lao authorities told him they were acting to stop lese majeste suspects from staging activities and broadcasting content targeting the Thai monarchy. Lao authorities have also suspended local radio programmes with content attacking the monarchy.

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