BANGKOK – Every licensed stock broker in Thailand was arrested yesterday for having believed the malicious rumors about His Majesty the King’s health, which led to a plunge in the stock market in October.
Police announced at a press conference that although the alleged sources of the damaging and false rumors had already been arrested, that it was also necessary to arrest those who believed them, since both actions are required to damage the market and the national economy.
The suspects, which included every stock broker who executed a selling trade on the day in question, were said to have been apprehended for allegedly violating Article 14 of the computer law by circulating false information concerning His Majesty. They face five years in jail or a ฿100,000 fine, or both.
All personal computers belonging to the arrested rumor-believers were also taken and will be examined for other illegal materials and evidence.
The SET remains open and operative, with stock orders being taken by replacement employees with little or no training.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that he believed this would restore confidence to the market and strengthen the national economy.
