Thai party leader says he faces military trial over sedition

The leader of a popular new Thai political party that ran a strong third in last month's elections on Saturday denied the criminal charges of sedition filed against him by the ruling military junta and expressed concern that he will be tried in a military court.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was greeted by hundreds of supporters chanting "Keep fighting, Thanathorn!" as he arrived at the Pathumwan police station in Bangkok to answer a police summons on complaints of sedition, assisting criminals and illegal assembly filed by a junta officer. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of up to nine years.

"I'm concerned because this case is under the military court instead of the criminal court," he said in a statement to reporters. "That is quite unsettling." He said he was treated fairly by police and added: "There are many citizens in Thailand that have been charged with (sedition under Article) 116 including those that have not received any public attention. The regime creates fear for the society to silence us," Thanathorn said.

"I insist I am innocent I am ready to stand firm in the court proceedings. I urge all
Thanathorn said he views the case as politically motivated because "the timing couldn't have been more coincidental than this just one week after elections."