Thai Court Rules Today On Bail For Jailed Red Shirt Leaders

[webfact]

Court rules today jailed reds

By Kesinee Taengkhieo

The Nation

Witnesses including Sanan tell court freeing leaders will help reconciliation

The Criminal Court will rule this afternoon whether to grant temporary release to the seven red shirt leaders being in remand in connection with last year's political unrest and riots.

Yesterday, the Criminal Court heard witnesses of the red shirt leaders applying for bail.

The detained red shirt leaders - Nattawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Kokaew Pikulthong, Nisit Sinthuprai, Kwanchai Praipana, Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, and Yoswalit Chooklom - offered cash surety of Bt600,000 in applying for bail.

Their lawyer Narinpong Jinapak said that the seven men would not appear before court when the bail decision is read at 2 pm today. They would instead wait for the court decision at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

Earlier yesterday, hundreds of red shirt supporters gathered at the court to offer moral support to the detained leaders. Many of them were allowed in courtroom but were told not to act in a way that could be regarded as contempt to court. More than 200 police officers were also dispatched to the Criminal Court to keep law and order during yesterday's hearing.

Kanit Nanakorn, chairman of the government-appointed Truth and Reconciliation Committee, told the court yesterday that he did not think a court decision not to grant bail to the detained red shirt leaders would obstruct the plan for political reconciliation although he had called for their release.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who had visited the detained red shirt leaders at the Bangkok Remand Prison, said during yesterday's hearing that their release would help improve the prospects of reconciliation and could end the ongoing political conflict.

The prison's commander, Sopon Thitithamphruek, told the hearing that the seven red shirt leaders have followed the prison's regulations, and had cooperated with officials without making any trouble during their remand period.

Veera Musigapong, another red shirt leader who was released on bail earlier, told the court that he was confident the seven would adhere to the conditions given by court for their temporary release. He said their release would benefit efforts for reconciliation and he did not think they would cause any trouble after being granted bail.

Nattawut, one of the detained red shirt leaders, called for sympathy from the court, saying that the seven men have to take care of their families. He said that after the end of the anti-government protest on May 19, the seven were among the red shirt leaders who waited at the protest site in the Ratchaprasong area to give up to the authorities. He expressed confidence none of the seven would jump bail after their temporary release.

-- The Nation 2011-02-22

[patjem]

The seriousness of their charges should not even allow consideration of bail..... regardless of whether they surrendered, have families or promise not to skip bail.

[webfact]

Court to Rule on Bail for Red-Shirt Leaders at 2 P.M. Today

The Criminal Court has ordered eight red-shirt leaders to file bail requests today at 2 P.M. after a key witness pointed out that the their release would promote the reconciliation process.

The Criminal Court summoned Nattawut Saikuer, Weng Tochirakarn, Korkaew Pikulthong, Wiputalang Pattanapumthai, Yoswarit Chuklom also know as Jeng Dokjik, Kwanchai Praipana, Nisit Sintuprai and Phumkitti Sukjindathong, leaders of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, who have been jailed on terrorism charges and and are being held at the Bangkok Special Prison.

President of the Lawyers' Association of Thailand, Narinpong Jinapak filed the red-shirt leaders bail requests again after several failed attempts in the past.

However, this attempt seems to stand out after it was reported that several key figures agreed to address the court as witnesses.

Commander of the Region 1 Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai testified that he was the one in charge of law enforcement authorities overseeing the red-shirt rally at Phan Fa Lilat Bridge in Bangkok.

Wichai, who was also the chief negotiator at the time, claimed that the red-shirt group was very cooperative when asked to make way for traffic and no weapons were found at the rally site.

However, he admitted that the red-shirt leaders sometimes used strong language aimed at inciting violence when making public speeches.

Meanwhile, Warden of the Bangkok Special Prison Sophon Thitithampruek testified that all of the jailed red-shirt leaders have demonstrated good behavior and have never caused any trouble.

Veera Musikapong, a former red-shirt leader, told the court that the release of his jailed comrades would greatly promote the national reconciliation process.

In addition, the red-shirt leaders are well respected and will not cause any problems.

One of the most significant witnesses was Chairman of the Independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand, Kanit Na Nakorn, who said that it is now the time for the court to release the eight red-shirt leaders so that they can participate in the national reconciliation.

Another key witness, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, said that from what he can determine, the red-shirt leaders will not seek amnesty and will continue to fight the charges in court.

Sanan also believes that their release will facilitate the national reconciliation process and that they will not be a threat to the government.

The court then scheduled a bail hearing for today at 2 P.M. Stay tuned on Thai-ASEAN News Network for coverage of the court's ruling this afternoon.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-22

[Nisa]

ah, so they were charged with terrorism.

So, how is it a fair comparison for the reds to compare bail set for the yellows who were not charged with terrorism?

Edited February 22, 2011 by Nisa

[animatic]

In addition, the red-shirt leaders are well respected and will not cause any problems.

By whom????

And seeing as they did nothing but cause major league world class problems last they were out of the box, why can we suddenly presume they won't start up yet again. Jatuporn has never stopped his incitements.

[Robby nz]

Didnt Veera Musigapong put up 4 millB for his bail?

Why is it that this lot are only putting up 600KB?

[whybother]

Didnt Veera Musigapong put up 4 millB for his bail?

Why is it that this lot are only putting up 600KB?

They're only putting up 600K because the yellow shirt leaders (who were on different charges) got bail for that amount.

[Macmundi]

Why don't release all the other criminals too rapists, murderers, terrorists. These reds and yellows are no less criminals.

[bkkdave11]

"Nattawut, one of the detained red shirt leaders, called for sympathy from the court, saying that the seven men have to take care of their families."

Heh... when Nuttawut was publicly calling for the burning of Bangkok, where exactly was his tender concern for his wife & kid? And when he announced 'I will take responsibility,' did that mean 'so long as they get me out on bail'?

I'm guessing Weng and Korkaew may be let out, but it'd be a God-awful day for the Thai justice system (and it's had PLENTY of those already!) if the likes of Nuttawut & Kwanchai are set free as well.

[Robby nz]

Didnt Veera Musigapong put up 4 millB for his bail?

Why is it that this lot are only putting up 600KB?

They're only putting up 600K because the yellow shirt leaders (who were on different charges) got bail for that amount.

That would mean then that they dont want to be seen as worth more the yellow leaders.

I suppose it could be reasonably speculated that both lots are worthless to the country.

[patjem]

Social testified that no weapons were left at the rally site, so the ones seen on-stage, from April footage were taken away when they consolidated to Rajprasong.

[Nisa]

Should we start a pool as to who long it will be before one of these guys makes inciting lawless public comments?

I say 3 days.

Edited February 22, 2011 by Nisa

[webfact]

New topic:

Seven Thai Red Shirt Leaders Freed On Bail

Follow this link:

//CLOSED//