Thai police arrested two people accused of e-mailing a doctored recording of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ostensibly discussing ways to create chaos to use as a pretext to crack down on anti-government protesters.
The two suspects detained Monday work for SC Asset, a company controlled by the family of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra _ Abhisit's political rival. Thaksin was deposed in a bloodless coup three years ago after being accused of corruption and abuse of power.
Abhisit said last week the four-minute audio clip had been "doctored from different remarks" he made in order to paint him in a bad light. In it his voice is heard instructing security forces in April to "teach a lesson" to anti-government protesters and instigate turmoil so a crackdown could be launched.
The two suspects face up to five years in prison or a fine of not more than 100,000 baht ($2,940) under the Computer Crime Act on charges of disseminating false information to the detriment of a third party.
Political unrest has broken out over the past few years between pro- and anti-Thaksin factions.
Thaksin opponents took over the prime minister's office and Bangkok's two airports last year and helped topple two prime ministers sympathetic to Thaksin. In response, Thaksin supporters rioted earlier this year in Bangkok, forcing the army to restore order after two people were killed and hundreds injured.
Although in self-imposed exile, Thaksin remains one of the country's most influential politicians and a thorn in the side of the Thai establishment. His populist policies won the loyalty of the poor rural majority, threatening the existing power structure favoring the urban elite.
Thaksin's supporters this past weekend abruptly called off a mass rally demanding the prime minister's resignation after the government said it would deploy some 5,500 soldiers and police to keep order.
Pichit Chuenban, a lawyer for SC Asset _ a real estate holding company _ said the two employees arrested received the audio clip from others and forwarded it. The company said it will cooperate with authorities in their investigation.
Based on an initial company investigation the suspects "were not involved in any activities linked to the production and the editing of the audio clip," SC Asset said in a statement.
Police Maj. Gen. Panya Mamen also said the two did not appear responsible for producing the recording.
The two suspects were released on a 100,000 baht ($2,940) bail each.
