4 Fugitive Red-Shirt Leaders Surrender

[webfact]

4 red-shirt leaders surrender

Four fugitive red-shirt leaders turned themselves to the Department of Special Investigation Monday to face terrorism charges.

Suporn Atthawong, Waipoj Arpornrat, Phayup Panket and Shinawat Haboonpak met DSI director-general Tharit Phengdit at the DSI head office at 10 am.

They were accompanied by red-shirt lawyer Kharom Polthaklang to meet the DSI chief.

They were released on bail after placing assets worth Bt600,000 as a guarantee each.

Tharit said the four were asked to meet DSI investigators again on March 29 when they would be handed over the public prosecutors for pressing charges in court.

Tharit said the four denied terrorism charges and would give their testimony later.

He said they were prohibited from inciting violence and from leaving the country as well as joining rallies as part of bail conditions.

Tharit said Arisaman Pongruangrong has not contacted the DSI about his surrender yet.

Suporn said he intended to surrender earlier after the statement of emergency was lifted.

Suporn said he did not flee to Cambodia and did not meet Arisaman as reported.

Kharom said Arisaman contacted him, saying he wanted to surrender but he was still not sure of his safety.

-- The Nation 2011-03-14

[webfact]

Red-shirted leaders surrender

BANGKOK, 14 March 2011 (NNT)—Four red-shirted leaders who have been in hiding for nearly a year turned themselves in to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) this morning to face terrorism charge. They have been granted bail and barred from joining any political rally.

According to Tharit Pengdit, the DSI chief, the four leaders who surrendered this morning included Pol Lt.Col Waipote Apornrat, Suporn Attarwong, Payap Panket, and Chinawat Haboonphat.

After an initial interrogation, during which they denied all charges, they were released on a bail set at 600,000 baht each on the condition that they are not to join any political protest. The four are scheduled to be presented to the prosecutor on March 29.

-- NNT 2011-03-14

[webfact]

Four more Red Shirt leaders surrender at DSI; bail granted

BANGKOK, March 14 - Four more leaders of the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Monday surrendered to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) after being on the run for nine months with outstanding arrest warrants for terrorism, and were later granted releases on bail.

Suporn Atthawong, Payap Panket, Chinnawat Haboonpad, and Waipoj Arpornrat turned themselves in at DSI headquarters Monday morning but denied all charges and posed Bt600,000 as bail bond for each.

The four were granted temporary releases but were barred from joining any political gatherings to incite the public and forbidden to leave the country.

Mr Suporn stated he reported to DSI investigators as he had earlier pledged that he would do so when the government revoked the state of emergency.

"Now that national reconciliation is underway, we want to surrender and enter the judicial process as some of us must register our candidacy in the upcoming general election," Mr Suporn explained.

"I cannot contest the election as I have been banned from politics for five years," Mr Suporn said.

Contrary to rumour, Mr Suporn said he had not gone with three other protest leaders during his nine months on the run, but stayed in Bangkok and some northeastern provinces, not in Cambodia as reported.

He said he had never contacted or spoken with Arisman Pongruangrong, another leader who remains at large, as rumours swirled over his appearance with Mr Arisman in Cambodia.

UDD lawyer Karom Ponthaklang said Mr Arisman has contacted him for his surrender but the date is not yet set as the protest leader is still concerned regarding his safety.

Mr Karom said he believes Mr Arisman is now hiding somewhere along the border.

DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit said bail was granted to the four protest leaders as they surrendered to the police unescorted, showing their willingness to enter judicial process.

Mr Tharit added Mr Arisman has not yet contacted the DSI over his possible surrender.

Regarding the appearance Saturday on the UDD stage by seven Red Shirt leaders earlier released on bail, the DSI chief said the authorities are reviewing recordings of their speeches to determine whether they were provocative or violated their court orders.

The DSI will seek a court order to withdraw the bail if any court order infringement is found, said Mr Tharit, adding the officials will keep monitoring the moves of the released leaders.

Red Shirt leaders were charged with terrorism after their anti-government campaign from March to mid-May last year turned violent, ending in a cascade of violence May 19 as troops sealed off their rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection.

Seven key protest leaders including Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakan, Korkaew Pikulthong, Kwanchai Praipana, Yoswaris Chuklom aka Jeng Dokchik, Nisit Sinthuprai and Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, surrendered to police at that time and were detained for nine months before being released on bail last month.

The other UDD leaders fled arrest. Among them, former deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister Adisorn Piengket decided to turn himself in to police last week and was also released on bail. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-03-14

[Macmundi]

I want to see Arisman re-enact how he climbed of out the building escaping the Commando's raid in his hotel room... the slimeball.

[Buchholz]

I've not heard comments from those Red Shirt Leaders who were incarcerated for the past 9 months about these other Red Shirt Leaders who have been living well and playing in the Cambodian casinos.

Any of their favorite complaints of double standards that they are all free on bail now?

Secondly, any discussion of who is guilty of aiding and abetting these fugitives for all this time?

Lastly, waiting for the news of the inevitable deal that's been worked out, which, no doubt, will be disappointing.

.

Edited March 14, 2011 by Buchholz

[hanuman1]

I want to see Arisman re-enact how he climbed of out the building escaping the Commando's raid in his hotel room... the slimeball.

I doubt he could re-capture the realism of the original event.

If only there existed video of the real escape we could compare his performances....

[Buchholz]

Thailand: More 'red-shirts' released ahead of elections

Four Thai anti-government "red-shirt" protest leaders have surrendered to police and been released on bail. It follows the release on bail of seven top leaders in February, after nine months in jail on terrorism charges. Those leaders addressed a large rally on Saturday to mark one year since the start of their Bangkok protests which ended violently on 19 May last year. The latest releases come after Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's said he intended to call early elections.

The four protest leaders freed on bail had been held on terrorism and other charges relating to last year's protest movement led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Several other red-shirt leaders, including the popular singer Arisman Pongruangrong, have not yet surrendered.

-- BBC 2011-03-14

[gemini81]

they're released just in time for the april showdown huh? what the h*ll is going on? Glutton for punishment.

[yellow1red1]

why does Suthep's bail allow to attend rallies and not these 4, because he is an MP? oh, did i say suthep? meant Jatuporn; for some reason always get those two confused, same/same in my mind... don't ask me why

[patjem]

why does Suthep's bail allow to attend rallies and not these 4, because he is an MP? oh, did i say suthep? meant Jatuporn; for some reason always get those two confused, same/same in my mind... don't ask me why

Sorry, really not sure I understand why you would think that. Not that Suthep's squeaky- clean, but certainly not in the same league when it comes to Jutaporn's BS

[Buchholz]

why does Suthep's bail allow to attend rallies and not these 4, because he is an MP? oh, did i say suthep? meant Jatuporn; for some reason always get those two confused, same/same in my mind... don't ask me why

Sorry, really not sure I understand why you would think that. Not that Suthep's squeaky- clean, but certainly not in the same league when it comes to Jutaporn's BS

add in vastly different looks and demeanor... and it does make for a mystery as to how one could mistake the two

[Buchholz]

Red Shirt Leader Suporn AKA Issan Rambo (below)

and Thai Rak Thai Party banned MP and Red Shirt Leader Payap Panket (below)

and who was the leader of the disastrous and brutal Red Shirt takeover of Chulalongkorn Hospital (below)

surrendered today and were released on bail.

Issan Rambo reminds us why he won't be joining his fellow bailed terrorist suspects to become PTP MP's.... he's already been banned...

"Now that national reconciliation is underway, we want to surrender and enter the judicial process as some of us must register our candidacy in the upcoming general election," Mr Suporn explained.

"I cannot contest the election as I have been banned from politics for five years," Mr Suporn said.

http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/181329.html

[Bakseedaa]

Funny, you put a shirt and tie on these "creatures" and they look almost human.... Dogs of war comes to mind... communists by another name... care only for themselves...

[Buchholz]

Going by the photo from yesterday in the OP, it would appear that live on the run has been beneficial to the rotund Issan Rambo Suporn.

Just imagine if he had been participating in the Bang Kwang Obesity Reduction Program, that was so beneficial for Natthawut, the past 9 months and one can almost picture Suporn passing for an exact copy of a fit, trim Sylvester Stallone from his Rambo days.

[Buchholz]

we'll never see Jatuporn hugging his mother like that...

Red-shirt Leader Welcomed Home

One of the bailed red-shirt leaders, Suporn Attawong, came home to Nakhon Ratchasima province to a warm welcome by many red-shirt members and the same group demanded justice for the 91 victims who died in last year's protest crackdown and that the murder case of a local red-shirt figure, Auan Buayai, be cleared.

One of the bailed red-shirt leaders, Suporn Attawong, also known as Rambo Isan together with singer Wanchana Kerddee, and Police Major Sa-ngiam Samranrat, arrived at Thao Suranari Monument, where they were greeted by a warm welcome from many red-shirt people.

Among those in the group were Sun Attawong and Chanasak Attawong, Suporn's mother and brother.

Suporn paid his respect to his mother and hugged her while rejoicing.

Soon after, they made an offering to Thao Suranari and gave 50,000 baht to the family of Sakarin Kongkaew, better known as Auan Buayai.

Suporn said that for the entire period of 10 months when he was in hiding, he stayed at the northeastern border between Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces with the assistance of a military officer.

He told his mother and other red-shirt people to pray with Thao Suranari for his safe return. Today he received bail and has safely returned home to fulfill that oath.

Suporn also said that his early struggle was only a call for democracy, and that the allegations that he was a terrorist are false.

The allegations and the truth concerning the Central World arson will be clarified during the censure debate by MP Jatuporn Prompan.

Suporn went on to say that he will clear the case of Auan Buayai's assassination and he will also demand justice for the 91 victims who died as part of the case. However, he is still deciding whether or not he will attend the red-shirt rally on March 19.

Additionally, during the time that he was in hiding, he wrote more than 200 pages about his struggle, which he will soon publish.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-16

[Buchholz]

Secondly, any discussion of who is guilty of aiding and abetting these fugitives for all this time?

Suporn said that for the entire period of 10 months when he was in hiding, he stayed at the northeastern border between Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces with the assistance of a military officer.

Thanks, Rambo.

Now they know who to charge.

Got a name and address for us to help speed things up?

.

[whybother]

... he will also demand justice for the 91 victims who died as part of the case.

...

I'm sure they could help getting justice for the people killed by grenades.

[Buchholz]

Additionally, during the time that he was in hiding, he wrote more than 200 pages about his struggle, which he will soon publish.

Considering his 9 months on the run, Issan Rambo could borrow Rambo's book title, Sly Moves

[rubl]

Issan Rambo reminds us why he won't be joining his fellow bailed terrorist suspects to become PTP MP's.... he's already been banned...

"Now that national reconciliation is underway, we want to surrender and enter the judicial process as some of us must register our candidacy in the upcoming general election," Mr Suporn explained.

"I cannot contest the election as I have been banned from politics for five years," Mr Suporn said.

http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/181329.html

Is this the first UDD leader to publicly confirm that "national reconciliation is underway" ?

[ianbaggie]

Guess that lets the "truth today"off the hook - what next ? A rally to protect fish in the Chao Phrya??? Maybe they could burn down the boat dock??