Police overreacted with anti-PM clapper : PAD

Benjamas Yuthawiriya, 39, was detained by police after she waved a clapping hand, the PAD's symbol of defiance, in front of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who was visiting Wat Doi Suthep during his trip to the northern province.

Police quickly escorted Benjamas, who acted alone, from the scene and noted the event in the police report- claiming she had disturbed the peace - before demanding she promise not to repeat the act.

A group of 30 local supporters of PAD held a press conference to reprimand police.

"The police have violated the basic rights of Benjamas as they have neither the mandate to force her to forego her freedom of expression nor the legal sanction to confiscate her clapping hand which is not a weapon or a contraband," PAD's local leader Suriyont Thongnuiad said.

The PAD supporters lodged a complaint with the Provincial Police Region 5 to look into the action of the Chiang Mai police.