Anti-govt trio kept in custody
The Criminal Court yesterday denied bail to three anti-government leaders after they were indicted along with 15 others for their roles in the protests at Thammasat University and Sanam Luang on Sept 19-20 last year.
Panupong “Mike” Jadnok and Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpattararaksa were taken to Bangkok Remand Prison while Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, was whisked away to Central Women’s Correctional Institution. The rest were released on bail of 350,000 baht each.
The 18 suspects were arraigned before the Criminal Court on 11 charges including inciting unrest, unlawful assembly of more than 10 people, violating the emergency decree and criminal damage.
Prayuth Phetkhun, deputy spokesman of the Office of Attorney-General (OAG), said Mr Panupong, Mr Jatupat and Ms Panusaya would also be indicted with the lese majeste charge.
Four other protest leaders were already charged with lese majeste and detained in this case: Parit Chiwarak, Arnon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Patiwat “Mor Lam Bank” Saraiyaem.
While waiting for bail, Ms Panusaya wrote on Facebook that everyone was innocent until proven otherwise under the law and they deserved to be granted bail.
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretarygeneral of the Progressive Movement group and a law expert, turned up at the court to offer moral support to the defendants.
He also criticised the government for trying to silence the protesters with serious charges like Section 116 (to incite unrest) and lese majeste.
Also yesterday, the Criminal Court approved a police request to detain for 12 days We Volunteer (WeVo) leader Piyarat “Toto” Chonthep and 15 others who were arrested on March 6 for illegal association under Sections 209 and 210 of the Criminal Code.
Police said the group was arrested because police feared they would instigate violence. Seized from them were 15 slingshots, 50 nut screws, 300 marbles, 30 smoke bombs and 13 crash helmets from the guards.
Following their arrests, a group of people attacked police vans and helped some detainees escape. Seven police were injured in the incident.
Pol Lt Gen Phukphong Phongpetra, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), said yesterday said that police have yet to receive complaints from the Criminal Court over the March 6 protests outside the court compound.
The MPB chief also said three police buses belonging to the Border Police Bureau were fired by on the night of March 6 and an investigation is under way.
Meanwhile, the People Go Network yesterday posted Facebook calling on their supporters to march to gather at Victory Monument for a march to Government House after the three leaders were sent to prison.
As of 7.30 pm, a small group of demonstrators were seen converging the monument. The protest leader urged people to step up their anti-government protests.