Muslim senator says Ramkhamhaeng incident challenged Islam’s principles of peace

Muslim senator and former human rights commissioner Angkhana Neelaphaijit has raised concerns over what she described as “mob rule” after more than 1,000 Muslims reportedly gathered in Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng 53 area to pressure an LGBT Muslim individual accused of insulting Islam.

The incident, which sparked widespread debate on social media, reportedly involved the individual being pressured to apologise, shave their head and slap themselves as an act of repentance. Critics questioned whether the actions were voluntary or carried out under coercion.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Angkhana called on the Culture Ministry, the Office of the Chularatchamontri and the National Human Rights Commission to clarify their positions regarding groups identifying themselves as “defenders of religion” taking action against people accused of insulting religious beliefs.

She said the incident challenged Islam’s principles of peaceful coexistence, justice and compassion, adding that repeated claims during livestreams that the punishment was “voluntary” had raised doubts among viewers.

“If such incidents are allowed to pass without preventive measures, it could create a new norm in which mob rule overrides the law and even the true principles of religion,” she wrote.

Angkhana also warned that religious tensions could escalate into hate crimes or Islamophobia, describing religious conflict as one of the most sensitive and fragile issues in society.