3 replies to this topic

[Sexpat]

"Nine core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) showed up at the Criminal Court on Thursday morning to hear charges in connection with Sunday's clashes with police.

The court decided on Wednesday not to consider police requests for arrest warrants for the nine leaders, after they agreed to acknowledge the charges in relation to the clashes in front of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda's residence where 200 police and 59 protesters were injured.

The leaders --
PTV executives Chatuporn Promphan, Jakraphob Penkair and Nattawut Saikua;
PTV president Veera Musikhapong;
Viphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, spokesman for the Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship;
Weng Tojirakarn, adviser to the Confederation for Democracy;
Jaran Ditthapichai, former member of the National Human Rights Commission;
Manit Jitjanklab, former chief justice of the Criminal Court;
Apinant Viriyachai, a former Thai Rak Thai party MP

were charged with holding an illegal assembly of at least 10 people that caused unrest, instigating unrest and resisting the authorities.

Tens of supporters of UDD came to the court to give them flowers and encouragement.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120462

[Sexpat]

Would they dare jail any of them?

YES.

"The court ordered the nine UDD leaders to be held in detention at Samsen police station for two days so police could carry out legal procedures involving fingerprinting and the processing of documents.

After that they will be moved to the police detention centre at Bang Khen where they will be held for another 10 days. The law allows police to seek to renew a suspect's detention period six times, each time for 12 days."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Jul2007_news01.php

[Hedda]

It gets worse, as the dark images of a Burmese-style police state appear to be forming.

According to the following article, the police are now seeking to keep these political activists in jail for 48 days.

"Police investigators planned Friday to ask permission from Criminal Court to detain nine key leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) for a total of 48 days to prevent them from stirring more unrest, police spokesman Supisarn Pakdeenarunart said in a radio interview on Friday morning.

The protest leaders in connection with their alleged involvement in Sunday's clash in front of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda's residence were held in detention at Samsen police station on Thursday evening, after the court approved police investigators' requests for detention warrants for them.

They were accused of holding an illegal assembly of at least 10 people that caused unrest, of leading illegal acts, of resisting authorities and using force to harm them. In addition, they broke the law by holding illegal processions blocking traffic and using loud speakers without permission.

Pol Col Supisarn said police have the right to request the court for detention warrants. Each detention period is 12 days each time, and police can ask for the renewal of the period for four times, he said.

Pol Col Supisarn said releasing the nine UDD leaders may lead to unrest, plus there are many witnesses to be questioned, thus police will use the right to ask for the detention warrants for four times, until investigation is completed.

Supporters of the UDD came to the Samsen police station on Friday morning to bring breakfasts including coffee, soybean milk and fried popover for the detained leaders, who greeted them with a smile."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120481

[Wesley]

the dark images of a Burmese-style police state appear to be forming.

I was going to write a response to that as some typical Hedda hyperbole, until I read this latest bulletin from the BP:

"Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin praised police for requesting detention warrants for nine leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on Thursday.

Gen Sonthi said it is time to use strict measures against protest leaders in connection with their alleged involvement in Sunday's clash in front of the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda.

Gen Sonthi said he is not worried about consequences of the detention saying that he believes the public understands the situation.

Gen Sonthi ordered the First Army region commander to deploy more troops to help police maintain peace in Bangkok."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120484