Eleven Thai Protest Leaders Denied Bail

[ThaksinKharma]

Pheu Thai unfazed by public opinion on by-election

The opposition Pheu Thai Party has shrugged off the recent poll, which indicated higher popularity of the Democrat Party’s candidate during the advance voting of the Bangkok by-election last weekend.

Mr Anudit Nakornthap, Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok, responded to the latest poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, claiming that it was only an academic survey and the collected data was not necessarily reliable. He believed that the poll results would not have any effect on the actual voting.

51.05% of the respondents backed Mr Panich Vikitsreth of the Democrat Party while 34.30% supported Mr Korkaew Pikulthong of the Pheu Thai Party.

The other five candidates received less than 1% altogether.

The survey was conducted among eligible voters in Bangkok's Constituency 6 before and after the advance voting on 17-18 July. The official ballot casting will take place on 25 July.

NNT - July 20, 2010

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255307200042

[hammered]

Pheu Thai unfazed by public opinion on by-election

The opposition Pheu Thai Party has shrugged off the recent poll, which indicated higher popularity of the Democrat Party’s candidate during the advance voting of the Bangkok by-election last weekend.

Mr Anudit Nakornthap, Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok, responded to the latest poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, claiming that it was only an academic survey and the collected data was not necessarily reliable. He believed that the poll results would not have any effect on the actual voting.

51.05% of the respondents backed Mr Panich Vikitsreth of the Democrat Party while 34.30% supported Mr Korkaew Pikulthong of the Pheu Thai Party.

The other five candidates received less than 1% altogether.

The survey was conducted among eligible voters in Bangkok's Constituency 6 before and after the advance voting on 17-18 July. The official ballot casting will take place on 25 July.

NNT - July 20, 2010

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255307200042

It is quite a difficult constituency for the Dems actually. It used to be a TRT stronghold and then last time around with some boundary changes and a Bangkok surge against Thaksin they claimed a couple of the three seats. This time they should be happy with any win. PTP are also quite well organised there and should turn out a lot of votes and could also win. Interesting one that will come down to organization.

[ThaksinKharma]

51.05% of the respondents backed Mr Panich Vikitsreth of the Democrat Party while 34.30% supported Mr Korkaew Pikulthong of the Pheu Thai Party.

Core red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan mentioned that although the government has been trying to impede Korkaew Pikultong's campaign for Bangkok's Constituency 6 by-election, it is not an obstacle whatsoever.

Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party has laid out campaign plans and is confident that Korkaew will be victorious in the end.

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1032479

[pedro01]

If PTP lose, they will blame the Dems for impeding Korkaew's campaign.

Of course, they will not consider the fact that they purposely put forward a guy behind bars to campaign as having any bearing on it.

The question is - what percentage of PTP voters will actually keep on believing their spin?

What percentage will eventually get turned off by this and look to cast their votes elsewhere?

[SomTumTiger]

If PTP lose, they will blame the Dems for impeding Korkaew's campaign.

Of course, they will not consider the fact that they purposely put forward a guy behind bars to campaign as having any bearing on it.

The question is - what percentage of PTP voters will actually keep on believing their spin?

What percentage will eventually get turned off by this and look to cast their votes elsewhere?

Dems win in a landslide - easy to predict

[ThaksinKharma]

Pheu Thai to Release Korkaew's Audio Clip in By-election's Final Bend

The Pheu Thai Party is preparing to release its candidate's campaign audio clip in its bid to win the vacant seat in the constituency 6 by-election, and plans to hold a major election campaign rally this Friday.

The Pheu Thai Party is planning to broadcast its detained candidate, Korkaew Pikultong's campaign audio-clip, as Bangkok's Constituency 6 by-election draws near.

In Korkaew's audio clip, he explains his life in prison and family relationships. The clip was re-recorded in Bangkok's Remand Prison after the first recording was not approved by the Election Commission, as some of the content was deemed inappropriate.

As election day approaches in the constituency 6 by-election, Pheu Thai will be holding an election campaign rally this Friday, where the party's core leaders such as Police Caption Chalerm Yubumrung, Red-shirt core leader Jatuporn Promphan, and Bangkok MP Vicharn Minchaiyanant are set to address the crowd.

TAN - July 22, 2010

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1032535

[ThaksinKharma]

EC refuses help with Korkaew’s release

BANGKOK, 23 July 2010 (NNT) - The Election Commission (EC) has rejected the opposition Pheu Thai Party's request for help in seeking the court’s temporary release of Mr Korkaew Pikulthong, the party’s by-election candidate currently held for terrorism.

Mr Vicharn Minchainant, Chairperson of the Pheu Thai MPs for Bangkok, revealed that the EC today submitted a letter to the Pheu Thai Party Headquarters, stating that the commission could not provide assistance as requested.

On Thursday, the party's legal team asked the EC to coordinate with relevant authorities on filing for the temporary release of Mr Korkaew, key figure of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and Pheu Thai candidate for the coming Bangkok by-election. The EC was asked to help obtain the court’s approval for the candidate to run his political campaign ahead of the official election day on 25 July.

Mr Korkaew, presently detained on terrorism charges at the Bangkok Remand Prison, was chosen by the opposition Pheu Thai Party to run in the 25 July by-election in Bangkok’s Constituency 6. The post was left vacant after Democrat MP Tiva Ngernyuang passed away from cancer.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255307230050

[ThaksinKharma]

Bangkok all set for by-election today

THE ELECTION COMMISSION was ready for the Bangkok MP by-election for Constituency 6 today, an election commissioner said yesterday.

The voting will take place from 8am to 3pm today in Klong Sam Wa, Khan Na Yao, Nong Chok and Bueng Kum districts.

Election Commissioner Prapun Naigowit said the vote counting would be at election units before the votes were gathered at district offices.

The district office at Klong Sam Wa would be the centre for the online vote-counting report.

Prapun said while security had been tightened in the areas, foreign election observers, including those from the United States and Canada, were welcome to observe the election so they could understand the poll in Thailand held in a State of Emergency.

The Nation - July 25, 2010

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/07/25/politics/Bangkok-all-set-for-by-election-today-30134502.html

[march]

Veera Musikapong, a senior leader of the anti-government "red shirt" movement, arrives at a criminal court in Bangkok to appeal for his temporary release July 29, 2010. Veera and several other "red shirt" leaders face terrorism charges which theoretically carry a maximum penalty of death.

REUTERS

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100729/ids_photos_wl/r876050489.jpg/?.src=news#photoViewer=/100729/ids_photos_wl/r2256716633.jpg

[march]

The protest leaders, other than Veera, had their bail requests denied yesterday. The Appeals Court extended their detention yesterday until August 13.

Veera was granted bail yesterday for 6 million baht and that is covered in a separate thread, but the ten other protest leaders were not and will remain in custody at Bangkok Remand Prison.

[march]

Court rejects Kokaew's bail request

The Criminal Court Tuesday rejected red-shirt leader Kokaew Pikultong's request to be released on bail.

Lawyer Khamnuan Chalopathm represented Kokaew to submit the request along with Bt2 million cash as a guarantee.

The Criminal Court reasoned that since the Appeals Court refused to release Kokaew temporarily, the lower court has no justification to overturn the higher court's decision.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Court-rejects-Kokaews-bail-request-30135129.html

[march]

They sure are persistent.

UDD to seek bail for Korkaew again

BANGKOK, 4 August 2010 (NNT) – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will again seek bail for its core leader Korkaew Pikulthong after the request was rejected on Tuesday.

UDD lawyer Karom Poltaklang said that a team of UDD’s lawyers would file another request with the criminal seeking bail for Mr Korkaew.

Mr Karom said the reason justified by the court in rejecting the bid to bail out Mr Korkaew should be reconsidered, as the defendant, like Veera Musikapong, another leader who was granted bail earlier, had no prior violent behavior.

The lawyer, however, admitted that a bail request for another UDD core leader, MD Weng Tojirakarn, must be postponed in light of the court’s refusal to grant bail to Mr. Korkaew.

He said the UDD lawyer team must discuss this issue again before filing another appeal.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255308040027

[march]

Karom prepares to carom the bail denial into another bail request:

[rubl]

Karom prepares to carom the bail denial into another bail request:

I guess by now K. Karom knows his original bail request for the eleven UDD leaders was stupid. No way a blanket bail-out would be granted with clear evidence of wrongdoing (check PTV from March - April 2010) and some leaders having fled. Now to request bail for individuals AND a logical order (minor to major offense) makes sense. Every time bail for another UDD leader is granted, details can be used to request bail for yet another again. I wonder when the criminal court has enough of these requests and start quoting other cases to indicate why no answer is to be expected yet.

[march]

Weng is the latest Red to appeal his bail denial today. The Appeals Court will decide on it Monday according to BP.

[rubl]

Weng is the latest Red to appeal his bail denial today. The Appeals Court will decide on it Monday according to BP.

If memory serves me right, in a previous bail request, Dr. weng's wife said he was urgently needed in his clinic. No mention of why he could stay away in the first place (period March - May).

[march]

Weng is the latest Red to appeal his bail denial today. The Appeals Court will decide on it Monday according to BP.

If memory serves me right, in a previous bail request, Dr. weng's wife said he was urgently needed in his clinic. No mention of why he could stay away in the first place (period March - May).

She also said he should be released because he had allergies.

Gosh, better let him out now before his sniffles get any worse.

I don't even want to think just how traumatic having watery eyes are. Suffering through that is surely worse than something so trivial as burning down Bangkok.

[philw]

So civilized! i am puzzled as to why Thailand does not lead UN

Ghana prison attire didn't seem to prevent Kofi Annan from leading the UN:

Great point.

[march]

RED-SHIRT PROTESTS

Court slaps on 2 more charges

By The Nation

Published on August 6, 2010

Core leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) under detention were facing two more offences yesterday in addition to their terrorism charges.

The charges of instigating unrest, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years, and organising public gatherings to stage unrest, which carries a five-year term, have been filed against 17 of the leaders, which includes seven in custody and seven on the run.

Veera Musigapong, Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan, and Sathaporn Maneekhote, who are out on bail, will be required to show up in Criminal Court at 10am on Monday.

The seven suspects in custody, including Natthawut Saikua, Kwanchai Praipana and Dr weng Tojirakarn, will be attending a hearing today at 1pm.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/06/national/Court-slaps-on-2-more-charges-30135310.html

[march]

17 Red-shirt Leaders Face More Charges

TAN Network

UPDATE : 9 August 2010

State prosecutors are working to file charges against detained red-shirt leaders before the end of their final holding term with the Department of Special Investigation filing four more charges against 17 red-shirt leaders.

Department of Special Investigation's, or DSI, Director-General Tharit Pengdit this morning presented eight boxes of evidence to substantiate more charges against 17 detained red-shirt heads, including Veera Musikapong, for abusing their constitutional rights to public address and inciting violations of the law with verbal and written messages.

The department also charged the group with violating the state of emergency, illegal public gathering, disturbing peace, and threatening others with violence.

An associated charge of resisting authorities' command was also filed.

All the evidence was handed to Director-General of the Department of Special Litigation, Thanapich Mulpruek, who will review the files and decide whether the charges should be lodged against the 17 named red-shirt leaders.

The special litigation office has yet to decide whether to file further charges against Pheu Thai Party MP and red-shirt head Jatuporn Prompan and Sathaporn Maneerat as well as Somchai Paiboon.

On released protesters who flee trial, Thanapich said they would be dealt with according to the law.

The state prosecutor denied receiving any Justice Ministry memo instructing his department to expedite processing the red-shirt leaders' case so that they would not walk free once their detention period expires. Thanapich assured he would be thorough in his review of the case.

Red-shirt attorney Karom Pontaklang called on prosecutors to question 120 more witnesses and review material evidence he submitted today.

The final holding period for the red-shirt suspects will expire on August 11.

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1033264

[march]

DSI asks prosecutors to indict 17 Red Shirt leaders

MCOT

Aug 9

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Monday submitted protest-related cases involving 17 anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders to Thanapit Moolapruek, director-general of the Attorney General's Office special litigation department.

DSI Chief Tharit Pengdit and investigators forwarded 42 files of investigation reports totalling 15,800 pages involving 17 suspects, including Red Shirt leaders Veera Musikapong, Nattawut Saikua, Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan, and Weng Tojirakarn.

The unrest-related case has to do with their alleged roles in inciting and leading Red Shirt supporters and their move to storm Parliament on April 7, to confront and scuffle with military personnel at the First Army Region headquarters on April 10, to protest and invade the compound of the Thaicom satellite TV ground station in Pathum Thani, and to block traffic leading to Phra Pinklao Bridge.

Accused Veera and Puea Thai MP of Lampun Sathaporn Maneerat also on Monday reported to officials at the Criminal Court.

Seven suspects are imprisoned and seven others remain at large.

Meanwhile, Red Shirt lawyer Karom Ponthaklang said all his clients denied all charges. Mr Karom submitted a letter to the prosecutors asking for the questioning of more 124 defence witnesses. He also presented a CD recording a parliamentary debate and related documents for the prosecutors for further consideration.

Mr Thanapit said that Mr Jatuporn and Mr Sathaporn, opposition Puea Thai MPs, are set to hear the agency’s decision on November 29 after the parliamentary session ends.

Meanwhile, the detention of suspect Somchai Paiboon will be terminated on August 11, leaving three days for the prosecutors to make final decision. The prosecutors however will work to complete it on time, according to the director-general of the Attorney General's Office special litigation department.

Responding the DSI’s submission of the cases related to the recent disorder on Monday, Mr Jatuporn said at criminal court that he dispatched Red Shirt lawyer Karom to acknowledge and clarify the cases as he is on duty while Parliament is sitting.

Mr Jatuporn and Karun Hosakul on Monday reported to the criminal court on charges in terrorism-related cases.

In another UDD-related case development, the appeals court considered Red Shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn’s request for bail after the criminal court earlier had rejected the bail bid for 11 detained Red Shirt leaders including Dr Weng.

The appeals court explained that Dr Weng’s request needs clarification by both the detainee and officials concerned for further consideration. So the court ordered Dr Weng to testify in court with the lawyer and other witnesses.

http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/88083.html

[march]

DSI submits report on red leaders who 'incited unrest'

By The Nation

Published on August 10, 2010

The Department of Special Investigation submitted a report to prosecutors yesterday seeking to indict 17 red-shirt leaders for inciting unrest in connection with the recent political turmoil.

DSI director general Tharit Pengdit led a team that presented six cardboard boxes containing 42 files with its investigation findings and evidence to back the charge against the red-shirt leaders to the chief public prosecutor for special litigation, Thanapit Moonphruek.

Some of the 17 accused by the DSI are being held at the Bangkok Remand Prison, while others are either on the run or out on bail. Opposition Pheu Thai MPs Jatuporn Promphan and Sathaporn Maneerat are among those facing charges. The pair have used their status as parliamentarians to avoid detention.

Red shirts on the run facing this extra charge by the DSI are Suporn Atthawong, Arisman Pongruangrong, Payap Panket, Wisa Kanthap and Paijit Aksornnarong.

The 17 are accused of inciting unrest, provoking people to break the law, and breaching the emergency decree.

The public prosecutor said yesterday that he summoned three red-shirt leaders earlier released on bail - Jatuporn, Sathaporn and Veera Musigapong - to hear a decision by prosecutors on the latest allegation against them on November 29. He said prosecutors would make a decision in regard to other people accused in the case through normal procedures.

He denied that prosecutors were being pressured about the case and said a decision on whether to indict the 17 would be based on findings of the DSI's investigation.

However, Thanapit said Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga's written request for the Office of the Attorney-General to expedite the indictment was "very rare". He also said prosecutors would consider a request by the accused for additional questioning of witnesses.

Lawyer Karom Polthaklang, acting for the red-shirt leaders, said Veera and Sathaporn had rejected the charges and sought additional questioning of 124 more witnesses.

They claimed the red shirts' protests were peaceful.

The lawyer called for fair treatment for the red shirts. He said followers of the rival People's Alliance for Democracy violated the emergency decree by assembling more than five people at the Thai-Japan Stadium on Sunday. Several hundred people from a civic network linked to the PAD protested over the government's dealings in regard to the border conflict with Cambodia.

"No legal action has been taken. This is a case of blatant double standards," he said.

Jatuporn and Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul, meanwhile, reported to the Criminal Court yesterday, in regard to their temporary release on the charge of terrorism.

Detained red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn also gave evidence in the Criminal Court yesterday in a bid to get bail.

Weng told the court he suffered from allergic reactions and that being detained in prison had made it difficult for him to gather evidence to support his case.

In response to fears he could jump bail, Weng said he had turned himself in to police even though he knew the terrorism charge carried a serious penalty.

Weng, 59, is being held at the remand prison with nine other red-shirt leaders on terrorism charges in connection with the recent political unrest.

Thanin Prempree, a DSI investigator, testified in support of Weng's bid for temporary release. He said he was convinced Weng would not try to interfere with the investigation or to influence witnesses if he was granted bail. Thanin said DSI investigators were not opposed to weng being released.

Some 25 red shirts have been charged with acts of terrorism but only 11 surrendered after the abrupt end of the 10-week street protest on May 19. The others are either in hiding or have fled the country.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/10/politics/DSI-submits-report-on-red-leaders-who-incited-unre-30135530.html

[march]

Lawyer Karom Polthaklang, acting for the red-shirt leaders, said Veera and Sathaporn had rejected the charges and sought additional questioning of 124 more witnesses.

They claimed the red shirts' protests were peaceful.

Peaceful?

Whether it was downtown Bangkok,

Or Ubon Ratchathani City Hall,

They were not peaceful.

Detained red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn also gave evidence in the Criminal Court yesterday in a bid to get bail.

Weng told the court he suffered from allergic reactions and that being detained in prison had made it difficult for him to gather evidence to support his case.

As stated previously:

Gosh, better let him out now before his sniffles get any worse.

I don't even want to think just how traumatic having watery eyes are. Suffering through that is surely worse than something so trivial as burning down Bangkok.

[march]

The lawyer called for fair treatment for the red shirts. He said followers of the rival People's Alliance for Democracy violated the emergency decree by assembling more than five people at the Thai-Japan Stadium on Sunday. Several hundred people from a civic network linked to the PAD protested over the government's dealings in regard to the border conflict with Cambodia.

"No legal action has been taken. This is a case of blatant double standards," he said.

The lawyer got fair treatment for the red shirts when followers of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) violated the emergency decree by assembling more than five people at the Santiphap Park on Sunday.

"No legal action has been taken" in that case nor was it taken when followers of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) violated the emergency decree by assembling more than five people in Chiang Rai on August 1st.

"There is no blatant double standards," is what he should have said.

[Zolt]

Six months ago, I would have deplored the double standards. (I still wish for the PAD leaders to get what they deserve by the way)

Then the reds came to set up shop right in front of my house. Then they set fire all around the place. At this point I would still have said things like "It's a minority of provocative elements..."

Then, flames went up, and the crowd cheered.

From that point on, I lost any kind of empathy for the red cause, leaders, or supporters, and I'm actually quite happy to see them not get bail.

[Buchholz]

Bail request for Weng denied

BANGKOK, 17 August 2010 (NNT) - The Court of Appeals has turned down the request for a temporary release of MD Weng Tojirakarn, key anti-government leader currently held on terrorism charges.

The petition was lodged by Mr Winyat Chatmontri, one of the lawyers representing the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), asking the court for the temporary release of MD Weng, who had been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

Ms Thida Tojirakarn, wife of the defendant, posted a piece of property and cash worth 9 million THB as collateral for the bail.

However, the court ruled that MD Weng's bail appeal violated the previous verdict of the Court of First Instance against his release during the investigative process. The appeal was thus dismissed.

After learning the Appeals Court's ruling, Ms Thida has reportedly filed another bail request with the Criminal Court with a title deed worth over 7 million THB as collateral.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255308170037

[Buchholz]

Court rejects bail request for 7 red-shirt leaders

The defence team Tuesday vowed to keep on reapplying for bail despite its latest failure to secure the temporary release of seven red-shirt leaders under remand pending trial on terrorism charge.

The defence apparently raised Bt17 million bail for the defendants, but omitted to submit fresh arguments to overcome past judicial rejections of the release, the Criminal Court said in its bail review.

The latest bail applications were filed for Natthawut Saikua, Kwanchai Praipana or Sarakham, Yoswarit Chuklom, aka Jeng Dokchik, Nisit Sinthuprai, and Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai.

Another application for Weng Tojirakarn was separately submitted earlier, but came under review in the same batch as the six because of the additional statement just given by Weng's wife Thida pleading for his release.

In the absence of new evidence to warrant the release, the lower court found no grounds to grant bail.

In another bail review involving the reds at the appellate level, the high court rejected the bail appeal filed by Kokaew Pikulthong and Somchai Paiboon.

Kokaew and Paiboon were trying to overturn their bail rejection for charges related to the emergency rule violations and the instigation of illegal activities.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Court-rejects-bail-request-for-7-red-shirt-leaders-30136043.html

[hammered]

I wonder what Veera did or agreed to, to get bail?

Maybe the other dudes should do the same. Seems simple.

[Buchholz]

UDD to keep seeking bails for its core leaders

BANGKOK, 18 August 2010 (NNT) – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will keep seeking temporary releases of its core leaders who remain behind bars, according to its Deputy Chairperson and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan.

Mr Jatuporn vowed to keep seeking bails for the other core leaders who remained in jail. He said the UDD would ask the court to interrogate witnesses from both the prosecution and the defendant sides, reasoning that the prosecutors had queried none of witnesses from the defendant side.

The UDD deputy chairperson noted that the legal proceedings against his groups were totally different from those of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which had been repeatedly stalled, with no progress made at all. He added that, unlike the UDD core leaders, none of the PAD core leaders had seen a day in jail.

Mr Jatuporn, a rabble rousing MP, also confirmed that he, along with Pheu Thai MPs Karoon Hosakul and Vichian Khaokham, would show up at the Criminal Court on Thursday, as required by law.

The three have been alleged of inciting terrorism in the recent political unrest.

The MP also noted that he might reveal a crucial piece of information regarding Department of Special Investigation Director-General Tharit Pengdit, whom he had been accusing of having double standards against the UDD, after the end of the of the 2011 budget bill debate.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255308180027

[Buchholz]

UDD lawyer renews attempt to gain bail for five Red Shirt leaders

BANGKOK, Aug 18 (MCOT) -- The lawyer for the anti-government Red Shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) movement on Wednesday tried a fresh attempt for bail, submitting his request with Bt10 million cash as collateral to the Criminal Court in seeking the temporary release of the five Red Shirt leaders following the rejection of their earlier bid by the Court on Tuesday.

The five UDD leaders are Natthawut Saikua, Kwanchai Sarakham or Praipana, Yosawaris Chuklom alias Jeng Dokchik, Nisit Sinthuprai and Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai.

All were indicted for terrorism after their anti-government campaign turned more violent with grenade attacks and arson in the capital and some upcountry provinces in the North and Northeast.

UDD lawyer Karom Ponthaklang offered Bt2 million as collateral for the temporally release of each of the five defendants.

The Criminal Court on Tuesday rejected bail bids for them, saying the bail requests of the five were previously denied as they were under suspicion by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the court had no reason to change the previous ruling.

The movement's leaders surrendered to police and announced the end of the ten-week demonstration on May 19 after violent clashes between protesters and soldiers which left 89 dead and some 1,900 injured over some weeks.

Mr Karom told the court that his clients voluntarily turned themselves to the police and this meant they have no intention to escape but wish to fight their cases under the law.

The lawyer said his clients were ready to propose more witnesses to give statements to the Court to support their freedom.

They agreed to follow all conditions set by the Court as well as increase the value of collateral, Mr Karom said.

Meanwhile, the attorney was authorised by Mr Nisit to request the Court to hold a preliminary examination against the prosecutors for unfairly indicting him on terrorism related cases.

http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/91801.html