The singer and pro-democracy activist known as Ammy the Bottom Blues was arrested on suspicion of arson and potentially lese-majeste, police said Wednesday.
The celebrity, real name Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan, was suspected of being one of three individuals who set fire to some property in front of Khlong Prem Central Prison at around 3 am on Sunday, said Police Lieutenant General Phukphong Phongpetra, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
Earlier news reports said the torched items included a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn. Police did not give details of the objects, but said Ammy could possibly face charges under Article 112, which prohibits lese-majeste.
Ammy was arrested in Ayutthaya in the early hours of Wednesday. He was taken to the Police General Hospital on account of swelling to his left shoulder and torso, Phukphong said, adding that the injuries were not a result of his arrest.
The evidence against Ammy and the other suspects included witnesses and scientific evidence as well as security camera footage, he said. No other arrests have been made.
Phukphong declined to give further details, saying that they were still in the early stages of the investigation. Ammy will initially be charged with committing arson and possibly offences under Article 112, he said.
