Two pro-democracy activists given conditional bail

[rooster59]

Two pro-democracy activists given conditional bail

By The Nation

 

Anon Nampa, left, a prominent human rights lawyer, and Phanuphong Chatnok, a member of the Eastern Youth for Democracy

 

The Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok granted provisional bail on Saturday to two activists -- Anon Nampa, a prominent human rights lawyer, and Phanuphong Chatnok, a member of the Eastern Youth for Democracy.

 

 

Karom Polpornklang, Move Forward Party's party-list MP, who is also the lawyer of both activists, said the provisional release is on condition that both must not repeat the activities that led to their charges.

 

The release took place after police had asked for court permission to keep them in detention pending completion of the investigation after charging them on seven counts.

 

The charges included provoking unrest, the illegal gathering of more than 10 people to hold any activities that caused unrest, holding activities that exposed the public to a contagion, blocking public paths, obstructing traffic, placing objects on streets and using electric loud speakers without prior approval.

 

The police investigators reasoned that the investigation process had yet to be finished and they needed to investigate six more witnesses.

 

Anon insisted that he had not incited unrest. He added that the government should listen to those who have different opinions.

 

Anon is one of the key figures leading the anti-government rally since July 18. Phanuphong had held a placard to protest against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his visit to Rayong.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392676

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-09

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[thequietman]

3 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Karom Polpornklang, Move Forward Party's party-list MP, who is also the lawyer of both activists, said the provisional release is on condition that both must not repeat the activities that led to their charges.

 

So, they are no longer allowed to be activists and protest!

 

Welcome to China people!  ????

[Thaiwrath]

3 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

He added that the government should listen to those who have different opinions.

There is only one opinion that counts, as far as these government cronies are concerned, and, anyone looking to oppose their opinion will be treated accordingly, as the government wishes.

[Enzian]

I don't know if these guys obstructed traffic as charged, and I don't if know if I'm for or against them (who am I to have an opinion?), but why why why do protestors think that obstructing traffic will help their cause? Because someone who never thought about it before will now think about it and agree? 

[yellowboat]

16 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

pro-democracy activists

At least, Thailand has stopped pretending there is a democracy.  If there was one, activism would not be needed. 

 

19 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The release took place after police had asked for court permission to keep them in detention pending completion of the investigation after charging them on seven counts.

Jail for having a differing opinion and causing a bit of mischief, so the media would report their story.  The BiB are full of some rather harsh, yet fragile civil servants.   If they had more tolerance, they would not come off as so fearful. 

[greeneking]

25 minutes ago, Enzian said:

I don't know if these guys obstructed traffic as charged, and I don't if know if I'm for or against them (who am I to have an opinion?), but why why why do protestors think that obstructing traffic will help their cause? Because someone who never thought about it before will now think about it and agree? 

I doubt if blocking traffic was their aim.  it is good that this time over one thousand demonstrators of all ages met to protest that even with 20 constitutions so far the elites still do not allow the people of Thailand a fair break in life.

Democracy Monument is a major traffic intersection.

[Enzian]

I'm in the middle of reading Machiavelli's Discourses On Livy, which is much more wide-ranging than The Prince, and is giving me some ideas about Thailand: for one thing, he points out that a people that have never been really free have a very hard time starting from scratch to rule themselves. He also points out that many apparent democracies are in reality de facto oligarchies, either because that's what works, or because the elites can so easily rig the game. And so on.

[DirtyHarry55]

Charges intended to keep them protesting for a couple of years.
I can't see they will agree to forfeit their democratic right to protest though.
Wonder what will happen to the other 29 on the list I think the police were shocked how many came out yesterday.

PM promised not to use SOE on protesters now he's lost all credibility.

 

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by DirtyHarry55

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The charges included provoking unrest, the illegal gathering of more than 10 people to hold any activities that caused unrest, holding activities that exposed the public to a contagion, blocking public paths, obstructing traffic, placing objects on streets and using electric loud speakers without prior approval.

Pathetic... 

[holy cow cm]

Silencing and suppression and then brutality using force is all they know how to do to keep their regime elite status. They surely know the majority of Thai abhor them and all they stand for and protect. 

[Foghorn]

Isn’t those things that most shop/ businesses do everyday , the police block the pavement outside my kids school so all the children have to walk on the road to get past the police motorbike 

[nausea]

They're just trying to shut people up. Works with individuals, not with a mass movement, heads of the Hydra and all that.

[mark131v]

Thanks news team!! better late than never....

[Donutz]

Good to see that Anon went straight to Chiang Mai to give a speech on rather obvious things that any normal country ought to have: a democracy with all people and institutions being below the constitution. A constitution that serves the people at large. But such things are unwelcome to those in power. 

[Anna Rak]

At least these 2 were arrested, there are 3 activists still missing, you have to wonder what happened to them.