The man who allegedly physically attacked political activist Srisuwan Janya on Tuesday has been charged with premeditated assault, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and/or a fine of 60,000 baht on conviction.

Spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, Pol Maj-Gen Archayon Kraithong, said today (Thursday) that the suspect, Weerawich Rungruangsiriphol, will be escorted to the public prosecutor’s office tomorrow to be formally indicted.

He said that the attack, which took place at the Technology Crime Suppression Division Command in front of the media, was premeditated and may have caused bodily and/or psychological harm to the victim.

He went on to say that the national police chief has instructed officers handling this case to perform their duty in a straightforward manner and has ordered that no similarincident be allowed to take place at any police office.

After the attack, Weerawich told the media that he attacked Srisuwan to “teach him a lesson” for threatening to take legal action against anyone who stages a protest against the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year term in office.

The attack, which went viral in the social media, has generated mix reactions, with supporters offering moral support and donations to the assailant, while his detractors criticise his use of violence.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service