More than 600 prosecuted for violating emergency decree
The national state of emergency declared on March 26 and the resultant curfews are no laughing matter, and violators are being prosecuted to the full extent of the law. More than 600 people nationwide have been prosecuted for defying the emergency decree invoked to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. A spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General says 623 people have been prosecuted for violating the emergency decree.
Among the rules of the decree is a ban on gatherings causing public disturbances. Violators are liable to a jail term of up to two years and/or a fine of up to 40,000 baht.
A court in Ayutthaya sentenced a group of violators to 2-4 months in jail for illegal gatherings while a court in Pathum Thani has handed down a 15 day jail term to one violator.
Most of the offenders defied the curfew banning people leaving home during the curfew. Most are aged 20-35. Provinces which recorded many Covid-19 infections such as Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Chon Buri, and Chiang Mai also have high numbers of people defying the emergency decree.
Attorney-General Wongsakul Kittipromwong has told prosecutors to make use of information technology to provide regular updates on prosecutions online to the OAG. The OAG’s information and communication technology department has also been told to gather and process information on prosecutions.
Taweesin Visanuyothin, the public voice of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Tuesday that the number of people who defied the curfew on Monday night was 1,293.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
