Man Allegedly Beaten Before Section 112 Inquiry
Man Allegedly Beaten Before Section 112 Inquiry
BANGKOK, 24 July 2026 — A 42-year-old Thai man with a history of psychiatric treatment was allegedly assaulted by a self-described vigilante group before being handed over to police in connection with a complaint under Thailand’s royal defamation law, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).
The rights group said the man, identified only as Thanit, sustained bruises, a swollen lip and head injuries after the alleged assault on the evening of July 22.
According to TLHR, the group, which identifies itself as Kong Ruean Rok, had announced on Facebook livestreams that it was searching for a man it accused of posting videos and messages about the Thai monarchy, claiming it would locate him within 24 hours.
TLHR said the group had been searching for Thanit since July 20. On July 22, dozens of its members allegedly went to his residence in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district, forced him outside and assaulted him.
Video footage reviewed by the lawyers’ group allegedly showed Thanit being surrounded by several people, pinned to the ground, repeatedly slapped, tripped and kicked. The footage also purportedly showed individuals stepping on his head and body, kneeing him in the stomach and striking his head, causing the lenses of his glasses to fall out.
According to TLHR, Thanit was then placed in a pickup truck and taken to Tao Poon Police Station, where members of the group remained outside the station.
Police confirmed that a complaint under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, commonly known as the lese-majeste law, had been filed on July 21. At that stage, officers had not issued a summons or sought an arrest warrant.
TLHR said police examined Thanit’s mobile phones without a warrant while lawyers were monitoring the case. Officers later documented the seizure of two mobile phones, with police records stating that Thanit had consented to both the seizure and access to the devices’ contents.
According to the police record, the complaint was filed by Naruephon Noomongkot, who alleged that a Facebook Reel contained language referring to King Rama X that he considered insulting.
Police later informed lawyers that Thanit would be transferred to Don Mueang Police Station. No charges had been filed against him at that time, and officers advised that he could file a complaint over the alleged assault.
At Don Mueang Police Station, Thanit lodged a complaint against those he accused of attacking him. Police accepted the report, and his lawyers requested that he be referred to hospital for treatment.
On the morning of July 23, Thanit underwent a medical examination after complaining of severe chest tightness and was admitted for emergency treatment, while investigators continued gathering information regarding the alleged assault.
Police have not publicly responded to TLHR’s allegations regarding the reported assault or the circumstances surrounding the examination of Thanit’s mobile phones. The investigation remains ongoing.
