File pictures for reference only.

 

The Criminal Court has sentenced 11 former red-shirt protesters to prison for their involvement in the 2010 anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok that ended in a deadly military crackdown. The sentences range from four months to just over four years, though all defendants were granted bail pending appeal.

 

Five key protest leaders, including Jatuporn Prompan, received four years and four months in jail, while six others were handed four-month terms. Two defendants were acquitted. One of the original 13 defendants has died and another has fled abroad. The court ordered the five leaders to post bail of 200,000 baht each, while the others were released on bail of 50,000 baht each. All were instructed not to leave Thailand during the appeal process.

 

The convictions relate to breaches of emergency laws imposed during the large-scale protests that sought to unseat then-prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The court found the group guilty of inciting unrest and violating the emergency decree but reduced their six-year sentences by one-third due to partial cooperation during the proceedings. Among those sentenced with Jatuporn were Weerakarn Musikapong, Nattawut Saikuar, Dr Weng Tojirakarn and Adisorn Piangket, the latter currently shielded by parliamentary immunity.

 

The 2010 demonstrations, organised by supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, drew tens of thousands of people to central Bangkok. Protesters occupied key intersections and government areas for over two months before soldiers moved in using live ammunition. Human Rights Watch reported that at least 90 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured in the violence.

 

Legal repercussions from the events have extended for years. In 2012, murder charges were filed against Abhisit and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban over the crackdown, but both were later acquitted. Former Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdit, who had pushed for those charges, was himself convicted of malfeasance in 2023 and sentenced to two years in prison.

 

Jatuporn, who has since distanced himself from Thaksin, said, “We respect the court’s verdict,” confirming that appeals are planned. In recent years, he has become a prominent critic of Thaksin and participated in rallies demanding the ouster of the current Pheu Thai-led government.

 

Thaksin, ousted by a coup in 2006, fled Thailand in 2008 to avoid corruption charges but returned in August 2023. He was taken directly to prison to serve his sentence, though he spent months in hospital citing health issues. The Supreme Court ruled last month that his 2023 sentence had not been properly carried out, leading to his current one-year term in a Bangkok prison.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Eleven former red-shirt leaders were sentenced over the 2010 Bangkok protests, with all granted bail pending appeal.

• Five senior figures, including Jatuporn Prompan, received four years and four months in prison after partial cooperation reduced their sentences.

• The verdict revives scrutiny of Thailand’s political unrest and ongoing divisions linked to the Thaksin era.

 

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Jatuporn-slams-gov’t-envoy-over-“foolish”-ceasefire-deal

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Bangkokpost 2025-10-08

 

 

 

 

2010. Now 2025. Going on a bisit long?

3 hours ago, daveAustin said:

2010. Now 2025. Going on a bisit long?

It is all political.

What took so long?

 

It's about time the Thai justice system did justice.

 

I'm thrilled about this and about Thaksin.

 

See ya!

4 hours ago, daveAustin said:

2010. Now 2025. Going on a bisit long?

Retribution has no time limit

The "statute of limitations" can apply to the likes of Red Bulls "Boss" but not political supporters. IMHO both sides were equally to blame for the unrest with the violence triggered by the so called Black shirts who were only in there to stir the pot.

Justice delayed is just denied. 15 years to come to a verdict for something that was broadcast live and in color.

And they're all out on bail

Are they sharing the same cell as Toni

2 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

What took so long?

 

It's about time the Thai justice system did justice.

 

I'm thrilled about this and about Thaksin.

 

See ya!

There's still plenty of time to get Prayut Cha Cha.

Don't forget the 3 billion in losses caused by the yellow shirts shutting down Suvarnabhumi Airport. Oh. Forgot already.

This will backfire big time and garner more votes for Pheu Thai next elections. 
 

"deadly military crackdown'--were the soldiers charged & tried?

 

When will Suthep Thaugsuban be brought to justice over Shutdown Bangkok???

 

Or Sondhi Limthongkun for the airport shutdown?

Justice delayed is justice denied. 

 

Meanwhile, Red Bull Boss goes free for running over a policeman with his Ferrari (under the influence? 🤔) and dragging the body 100 meters under the car. 

4 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

This will backfire big time and garner more votes for Pheu Thai next elections. 
 

 

Jutaporn is on the other side, now.

I remember the protest in the park was there for mths. Thaksim i believe paid them  a daily fee for the protesters.They lined up daily for their  fee,was interesting to see

On 10/8/2025 at 8:47 AM, bdenner said:

The "statute of limitations" can apply to the likes of Red Bulls "Boss" but not political supporters. IMHO both sides were equally to blame for the unrest with the violence triggered by the so called Black shirts who were only in there to stir the pot.

Maybe. But don't forget the 'free fire zone' where the military shot and killed dozens of red <deleted>s who were armed with only slingshots, or simply unarmed reds that found themselves in the 'kill' zone. None of the killers have faced justice, let alone a court martial, or even simply been identified. Also don't forget the snipers who fired from skytrain walkways into the buddhist temple at Ratchaprasong (between the two large shopping malls). It was supposed to be a refuge and a place to treat anyone injured - but it wasn't spared by the establishment's goon squad. A nurse was among those shot and killed. Her mother has fought for justice ever since - only to be met with official silence. It was also believed by many at the time that the fire at the main shopping center (at the intersection) was a false flag that included gas canisters to help with the explosions, while the grenades tossed around Victory Monument were also susepected as a red flag meant to blame the red shirts.

On 10/8/2025 at 3:24 AM, Quack said:

And they're all out on bail

 

Wonder how many of them are still in Thailand?

On 10/11/2025 at 2:55 PM, watchcat said:

 

Wonder how many of them are still in Thailand?

 

Most are orange shirts today.