THREAD: Three foreign-based critics of the Thai regime — including well-known journalist Jom Petchpradab and me — were targeted in August by people who surveilled our homes, followed us and sent packages intended to intimidate us. 1/15

On August 25, two Thais based in Los Angeles — Jom and Red Shirt activist Phontip Weeden — each received a FedEx package sent from Thailand. 2/15

Each package contained photographs showing that they had been surveilled at their homes and followed, as well as a coded threat — a photograph of the cover of the book "Catch Me If You Can". 3/15

The packages were apparently sent from an address in Sawang Daen Din district in Sakon Nakhon Province, but this appears to be fake. The evidence suggests the packages were sent from Bangkok. 4/15

There was a very similar incident targeting me on August 3. For the previous couple of days, I had seen a couple of suspicious people hanging around near my home, who appeared to be watching me when I went out. 5/15

A package was then left on my doorstep — a gift bag, with a gift box inside with the message "A Special Something for You". Inside were some items that showed I had been followed over the previous few days, as well as a printed message that said "Greetings from Thailand!" 6/15

Although the methods were slightly different, the incidents were extremely similar — in each case we were surveilled and then sent a message to show that the Thai regime knows where we live and could easily cause us harm if they wanted to in future. 7/15

So it seems probable they were linked, and other Thai exiles may face similar tactics of surveillance and intimidation. 8/15

In each case, the methods used suggest a black-ops private investigation company was hired to do the surveillance. There are several agencies like this that can be hired in both the US and the UK. 9/15

While the incidents are all explicitly linked to Thailand, it's not clear who ordered and paid for them.

But they come amid an atmosphere of increasing panic in the palace, military and government over mounting protests demanding reform of the monarchy and constitution. 10/15

Ten Thai dissidents have already been murdered abroad since 2016, most recently my friend Wanchalearm Satsaksit who was abducted in Cambodia in June. That killing was ordered by King Vajiralongkorn and overseen by his notorious security chief Jakrapob Bhuridej. 11/15

All the ten victims vanished from Southeast Asian countries, many of which like Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia have begun cooperating with Thailand to allow the capture and murder of dissidents — Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. 12/15

It would be much harder for the palace to target people in the US, UK, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand where the rule of law is strong, police are sophisticated, and an attack traced back to Thailand would cause major diplomatic consequences. 13/15

Thai assassins would be unable to operate freely in these countries so would have to subcontract the job to local criminal groups. 14/15

But reports from inside the palace say the king is enraged by the escalating protests and criticism of the monarchy and wants blood. So all Thai activists abroad need to be aware of the increased risk, and look out for signs of surveillance. 15/15

Here is one of the documents received by Jom, showing his home was surveilled