He claimed that Patnaree, mother of prominent anti-junta activist Sirawith Seritiwat – known as “Ja New” – had mentioned “unacceptable” words up to nine times in Facebook messages.

The officials seized Sirawith’s computer at Patnaree’s residence after she surrendered to face lese majeste charges on Friday.

“I can’t accept such statements. She wrote it without thinking, but you accuse me of harassing her,” Prayut said furiously before members of the media.

“I insist that this government and I will never accept insults against the monarchy,” he told reporters.

The PM was countering earlier comments by Patnaree’s lawyer, who said the mother was being charged solely because she had acknowledged the monarchy-insulting messages sent to her by Sirwith’s arrested friend, Burin Intin, by replying with “Ja” – a casual, friendly equivalent to “okay”.

The premier appeared upset after the lawyer’s social-media messages went viral.

The messages have led to some members of the public blaming the government, accusing it of unfairly taking action against Patnaree.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Military Court yesterday granted bail to eight suspects charged with violating Article 116 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Act.

The eight, who were charged for allegedly mocking the junta leader on Facebook are Nattika Worathaiwit, Noppakao Kongsuwan, Worawit Saksamutnant, Yothin Mangkang-sanga, Thanawat Buranasiri, Supachai Saibut, Harit Mahathon and Kannasit Tangbunthina.

They were released on bail after Crime Suppression Division investigators sought the court’s approval to further hold them in a second round of detention for 12 days from May 11-22.

Nattika and Harit also face lese majeste charges. The eight were dressed in prisoner uniforms and handcuffed and chained at the feet.

Winyat Chatmontri, a lawyer for the eight suspects, said he had sought their release on bail of Bt200,000.

None of them had confessed to the charges, he added.

A group of people turned up at the military court to provide moral support for the eight.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday that the military junta should drop sedition and other criminal charges against the eight for mocking the prime minister on Facebook.

The Facebook page shows memes and doctored photos of Prayut, who chairs the ruling National Council for Peace and Order, along with satirical quotes.

HRW said the charges against| the Facebook users were part of |the junta’s systematic repression |of peaceful dissent and criticism since the military coup in May|2014.

“Slapping people with sedition charges for political satire on Facebook shows that no political discussion is safe in Thailand anymore,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW.

“General Prayut doesn’t seem to realise that attempts to scare his online critics into silence only invite further mockery by those seeking an end to government repression,” he added.

HRW reported that the junta had alleged that the Thai-language Facebook page, which categorised itself as a “comedian” site, was created with funding from the son of deposed prime ministerThaksin Shinawatra to ridicule and discredit Prayut and the government.

The government provided no evidence to back its claims of sponsorship, but alleged the Facebookpage had generated dissent and unruly behaviour among Thai people, the human rights body said.