Chiang Mai Red-Shirt Leader Surrenders To Police

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Chiang Mai Red-shirt Leader Surrenders to Police

A fugitive leader of a red shirt-affiliated group in Chiang Mai has surrendered to police after fleeing the arrest warrant for terrorism and other charges related to the violent protests last year.

Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul, a leader of a red shirt-affiliated group in Chiang Mai province called Love Chiang Mai 51 Group, has turned himself in to investigators at Mae Ping police station.

Petchawat acknowledged charges of intruding the Provincial Police Bureau 5 headquarters before being temporarily released under 100,000-baht bail.

He then greeted a number of his supporters who gathered to offer him moral support in front of the police station.

Petchawat had escaped arrest warrants issued over terrorism and other charges related to his role during the violent protests in April last year.

The leader of Love Chiang Mai 51 Group said he was facing a total of 20 charges and submitted a bail request for two cases.

Petchawat noted that he fled to a foreign country early last year when an arrest warrant was issued for him.

He decided to surrender to police and would fight the cases in court after learning about the government's plan to dissolve the House and the upcoming general election.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Fugitive Rak Chiang Mai 51 leader surrenders to police

Chiang Mai Mail online reporters

A Rak Chiang Mai 51 Group member one of the core leaders of the group surrendered to the police station in Mae Ping on March 21, 2011. He denied all charges and was released on 100,000 baht bail.

Phetchawat Wattanapongsirikul fled to another country in January when he was initially charged with violating national security and damaging government buildings during the political riots last year.

He surrendered to Pol Lt Col Ithirat Sanpanya of the Mae Ping Police Station, after an arrest warrant was issued for him in January. At the police station, Phetchawat was met by about 100 red shirt supporters, including Phrakru Suthepsithikhun, the abbot of Wat Sriboonruang.

Phetchawat was accused of invading and destroying government offices, insulting the former Provincial Police Region 5 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom.

After his release on bail he said he will fight against the charges, adding that he surrendered to the authorities because he was asked by ‘Pu Lak PuYai’ (influential and senior persons) who suggested it to him since the general elections are expected soon.

He added that he was a member of Puea Thai Party and that he plans to help them campaign in the future.

[chiangmaimail]2011-03-24[/chiangmaimail]