Nine Anti-coup Leaders Detained

[george]

Nine anti-coup leaders detained

BANGKOK: -- The nine leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship were taken into custordy in the court room when they reported themselves to hear charges against them Thursday.

The nine reported themselves to hear the charges at the court refused to issue arrest warrants against them Wednesday and asked them to meet police at the court Thursday.

Police proceeded to take them into custordy and asked the court to approve their detention pending more investigations.

The nine are Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Phromphan, Jakrapob Penkair, Natawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiputalaeng Patanapu-mithai, Manit Jitchanklab, Apiwan Wiriyachai and Jaran Ditapichai.

Police investigators asked the court not to release them on bail.

-- The Nation 2007-07-26

[John K]

The second paragraph is a bit confusing.

[sbk]

I think its supposed to be "as the Court refused to issue warrants"

You'd think the Nation would proofread.

[sbk]

Police arrest 9 UDD key leaders

(BangkokPost.com) – Nine key leaders of United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) who are responsible for Sunday night's clashes between protesters and police were arrested by police after arriving at the Criminal Court to acknowledge charges against them.

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

Bangkok Post here for the rest

This line, from the Bangkok Post, makes the Nation's report a little clearer:

Police earlier asked the court to issue arrest warrants for the nine leaders, but it decided not to consider the police requests for the warrants, after they agreed to go to court to acknowledge the charges on Thursday.

[John K]

Yes it does make it better and perhaps not a good thing. There must be some limit of time the police can hold them for questioning. How long did they hold the driver of Thaksin’s not car bomb?

A very interesting twist here.

If the police are still in Thaksin’s pocket then it does not take much to see that this is just 'Act II.'

If the police are doing the proper thing then this will spin another way.

[Mid]

Nine anti-coup leaders arrested in Thailand

Jul 26, 2007, 8:15 GMT

Bangkok - Nine leaders of a violent anti-coup demonstration held over the weekend in Bangkok were arrested Thursday after hearing police charges against them.

Jakrapob Penkair, one of the leaders of the United Front for Democracy and Against Dictatorship (UDD), said their arrest warrants had been issued by Criminal Court Judge Korpong Suwannajuta.

Their detention caught the nine anti-coup organizers by surprise because on Wednesday the court had said no arrest warrant would be necessary if the defendants appeared voluntarily to hear police charges at the court at 10:00 am.

'This is a great betrayal of our trust,' Jakrapob said in a telephone interview with Deutsche Presee-Agentur dpa. 'We came to the court expecting to hear the police accusations and then to walk out of here.'

He said the defendants were refusing to leave the courtroom on the 12th floor of the court building on Rajadapiset Road in Bangkok.

2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

[bkkandrew]

He said the defendants were refusing to leave the courtroom on the 12th floor of the court building on Rajadapiset Road in Bangkok

Are they still there?

[Mid]

Are they still there?

currently according to local TV , yes

[John K]

He said the defendants were refusing to leave the courtroom on the 12th floor of the court building on Rajadapiset Road in Bangkok

Are they still there?

One article says they are in lockup at samsen.

[John K]

This is actually very serious in that the police are not following proper protocol. What is the history of Samsen police? This is actually setting off alarms in my head as this non protocol police action may be the catalyst Thaksin was looking for.

[slapout]

They refuse to leave the court room. Great we have their mentor and family refusing to appear in court, refusing to answer questions, calling in sick with doctors note, setting for exams, travelling to where ever etc. If I were a Judge I think I would ask someone to give me a job description and set down what action I can take to handle the actions of all of these very respective people toward the courts. Then put them so far back that their lawyers would have to get a road map to be able to pipe sunlight to them. Ch...t on a chrutch when is this soap opera going to run out of supporters and someone take the first step toward normality, if there is such a word in this country.

[bkkandrew]

A Mexican stand-off then? This could get interesting!

[John K]

A little more from the Bangkok Post

"Police refused to grant bail to the key leaders, fearing they may instigate unrest once out of police custody. All nine are being kept behind bars at Samsen police station."

[Mid]

no doubt JK ,

reporters out of the way and down the tunnel you go ..................................

........... ........... ............. ..................

edited to add

Thai court charges anti-coup protest leaders

Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:31PM IST

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai court on Thursday charged nine leaders of a weekend anti-coup protest that turned violent with organising an illegal demonstration, instigating unrest and obstructing police.

snip

reuters.com

no mention of either bail or incarceration ,

Edited July 26, 2007 by Mid

[bkkandrew]

I wonder if a demo will start outside the Court/Cop Shop?

[pansted00]

A little more from the Bangkok Post

"Police refused to grant bail to the key leaders, fearing they may instigate unrest once out of police custody. All nine are being kept behind bars at Samsen police station."

Meanwhile the cold blooded killer who rammed his benz into a bus stop killing one and injuring several is enjoying his life as free man...

[Mid]

I wonder if a demo will start outside the Court/Cop Shop?

doubtful as the rank 'n file are confined to SL ( you spell it ) ,

divide and conquer it's called .

[chevykanteve]

Is the arrest of these individuals really so surprising? There should not be any doubts about who pulls the strings and will continue pulling them. But, this is what the good people of Bangkok apparently desire and so, perhaps, deserve.

[Mid]

Thai court detains nine anti-coup leaders 12 days (2nd Roundup)

Jul 26, 2007, 13:35 GMT

Bangkok - Bangkok Criminal Court on Thursday allowed nine leaders of an anti-coup movement to be detained for 12 days in order for police to investigate charges that they illegally organized a demonstration last Sunday that ended in violence.

The nine men were taken to Samsen prison where they will be held until Friday, after which they will be detained at the Criminal Court for another ten days.

snip

2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

[Mid]

Thai Coup Protest Leaders Detained on Court Order

Reuters Jul 26, 2007

snip

Police took several hours to remove the nine, a mix of academics opposed to last September's military coup and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, from the court, which was packed with around 80 distraught family and friends.

The group denied the charges and refused to apply for bail after the Criminal Court gave police permission to detain them for two days to fingerprint them and conduct further inquiries.

"I will not acknowledge the court's decision," former Thaksin spokesman Jakrapob Penkhair said as anti-coup demonstrators booed and jeered, some shouting "There is no justice in this country".

Police carried one protest leader, former judge Manit Jitchanklab, out in his chair after he refused to budge from the courtroom.

About 30 protesters gathered at the police station, shouting anti-coup slogans as the nine were marched inside for the night. They are due to appear in court on Friday.

snip

Epoch Times International

[Scott]

I spent many years working in conflict zones. I used to go to these places to work. Now, it seems these places are coming to me!

I hope this doesn't escalate out of control. Asia in general is not well known for handling demonstrations, riots and public disorder well. Most countries around here like things done in a very orderly and controlled fashion.

I'm not packing my suitcase yet, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[John K]

It would seem according to news reports that a protocol was followed, so I stand corrected. However I see the possibility of trouble tonight or very calm. Meaning one extreme or the other.

[hammered]

There are pitfalls for both sides in the battle for the PR war over the next few days. Round one went to the Junta with the protestors appearing bad, and opened up the way for these arrests. However, the Junta need to stick to the process of law with court appearances, and after a very short period of detention will probably need to insure (probably conditional) bail is granted. If those held decide to refuse bail if it is available that will have little political effect. Detention for a day or two or three wont attract much criticism beyond the demonstasrtors and allies provided a court process is being followed. Will the Junta stick to a court process and bail reamians to be seen, but to date they have played their hand quite cleverly and so probably will imho.

On the other side the demonstrators need to avoid violence totally. Another violent event will further impact negatively on their image. If they demonstrate quietly outside the police station or at another venue and the Junta go too far in the prosecution of their leaders or use raw power then their image may start to change. Will the second tier of leaders be able to keep the level of control to avoid violence even under possible provocation also remains to be seen although some inside the protest movement have been quoted as saying the leadership cannot control the crowd.

[Mid]

If those held decide to refuse bail if it is available that will have little political effect

up to speed please ,

they refused bail yesterday .......................................

[Plus]

I doubt that protesters will be able to draw public's sympathy unless something extraordinary happens, like mass suicide in jail.

Bail will only be granted with a condition not to participate in any public rally, if granted at all. Yesterday it was refused, I believe.

The whole gamble with attack on Prem was to provoke the junta in another Chamlong-Suchinda styandoff, and it didn't happen.

No one cares for the fate of Veera and Jakrapop and co.

[steveromagnino]

If those held decide to refuse bail if it is available that will have little political effect

up to speed please ,

they refused bail yesterday .......................................

Seriously; when it started pouring yesterday, that was the first words out of the people that i was meeting with (major political clan previously associated with TRT) - 'this rain will probably help get Taksin's mob more money, or they are probably going to get bored and go home. Good'

Alledgedly, they said that :-)

Of course, if they get sick, then at least the protestors can enjoy substandard healthcare for 30b.

[hammered]

If those held decide to refuse bail if it is available that will have little political effect

up to speed please ,

they refused bail yesterday .......................................

Seriously; when it started pouring yesterday, that was the first words out of the people that i was meeting with (major political clan previously associated with TRT) - 'this rain will probably help get Taksin's mob more money, or they are probably going to get bored and go home. Good'

Alledgedly, they said that :-)

Of course, if they get sick, then at least the protestors can enjoy substandard healthcare for 30b.

I too hear little sympathy for the protestors from ex-TRT functionaries I know. They seem more interested in getting on with the business of Thai politics as per normal - winning elections, getting funds, having power etc - with or without TRT.

[Mid]

aparently I need to repeat ................................

the fight is for Democracy not TRT .

[hammered]

AP report from Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...6808080,00.html

A few extracts.

Thai Protest Leaders Ordered Jailed

Thursday July 26, 2007 10:01 PM

By SUTIN WANNABOVORN

Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Nine anti-government leaders were arrested Thursday after scores of people were injured at a rally held earlier this week outside a former prime minister's home.

and

The charges against the nine, all members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, include causing a public disturbance, damaging state property, and obstructing the work of, and injuring, officials. Most of the nine were leading members of Thaksin's now-disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party.

The police can hold the suspects for two days for investigation, after which they will be transferred to the court's custody for 10 more days.

[John K]

With this being a Buddhist weekend I can’t say what will happen, however a very close eye on Thaksin should be on the agenda. I would not put it past him to have some silent seconds that will pick up the slack from the nine in jail. If something is planned Thaksin will be sure he is in a very public place so everyone can see he is not involved.