Student activists in Thailand go before military court

[webfact]

Student activists in Thailand go before military court
PENNY YI WANG, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Fourteen detained student activists went before a military court in Thailand on Tuesday in a case that has attracted international calls for their release and criticism of the military junta's strict controls on freedom of speech and assembly.

The university students, 13 men and one woman, were arrested June 26 on charges of sedition and violating the junta's ban on political gatherings for leading a peaceful anti-coup rally in Bangkok. Each student faces up to seven years in prison.

On Tuesday, they were taken from a Bangkok prison to a military court, which was to decide whether to extend their pre-trial detention for 12 more days. Under Thai law, people can be held a maximum of 48 days without formal charges.

University professors and students joined dozens of supporters to show support for the activists outside the court, across from the Grand Palace in Bangkok's historic quarter, in defiance of the junta's ban on political gatherings. Journalists were not allowed to enter the courtroom.

Thai media have called the case a "hot potato" for the military government, which has come under growing calls both inside and outside Thailand to release the students but does not want to be seen bowing to pressure.

Since overthrowing an elected government in May 2014, the nation's military rulers have jailed opponents who dared to speak out against them. They have censored the media and forbidden open political debate. The junta's curbs on freedoms include a ban on political gatherings of five or more people and orders for security-related offenses to be handled by military courts.

The military has spoken of holding national elections but has not said exactly when they could take place, and its latest constitutional draft would curb the powers of elected political leaders.

Human Rights Watch said in a statement that the students' arrests "demonstrate the military junta's unwillingness to ease its oppressive rule."

The U.N. human rights office has called for the students' release and urged the government to review its use of laws that limit freedom of expression and assembly.

The European Union has called the arrests "a disturbing development" and said civilians should not be tried in military courts.

The students' case is the latest dilemma for the government, which has come under fire for the country's long-ignored human trafficking violations and illegal activity in the lucrative fishing industry that could lead to an EU ban on imports from Thailand.
___

Associated Press Writer Jocelyn Gecker contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-07

[webfact]

14 detained student activists arrive in Military Court for second extended detention request by police



BANGKOK: -- Prison authorities and police this morning escorted 13 male students from the Bangkok Remand Prison to the Military Court for the request to extend their detention period for the second time.

Another female student who was detained separately was also escorted to the court in another heavily tinted van.

At the Bangkok Military Court where a group of about 50 supporters who comprise Thammasat university students and lecturers were there to welcome the 14 detained student activists, under heavy security guards provided by the police.

Their lawyer Krisadang Nuscharas and clear that the student activists wouldn’t apply for bails but would oppose the police’s requested second extension of detention.

He said they wouldn’t apply for bails because they didn’t do anything wrong.

He said if the court rejected second extension, then the students could return home at once.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/14-detained-student-activists-arrive-in-military-court-for-second-extended-detention-request-by-police


-- Thai PBS 2015-07-07

[webfact]

Military court orders release of 14 students
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Military court on Tuesday turned down the request by investigating officers for the renewal of pre-trial detention of the 14 anti-coup students.

The court later ordered to release 14 detained students.

Police investigators asked the court for further detention of the 14 students but the request was rejected. The court says detention is unnecessary because the defendants exhibit no intention to flee but they still face trial.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Military-court-orders-release-of-14-students-30263918.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-07

[peterjackson]

Wow..... That decision blindsided me. Who saw that coming.

I can see some court appointees being asked to attend 'Attitude Adjustment Academy'

Maybe the PM finally realized the damage this was doing to the countries reputation and having his role put under a microscope.

Whatever caused the decision, the ensuing result is what matters.

[Thailand]

Wow..... That decision blindsided me. Who saw that coming.

I can see some court appointees being asked to attend 'Attitude Adjustment Academy'

Maybe the PM finally realized the damage this was doing to the countries reputation and having his role put under a microscope.

Whatever caused the decision, the ensuing result is what matters.

The only way to save even a little face, but too late.

They students are still going to trial.

[than]

A judgment of Solomon

[haroldc]

Wow..... That decision blindsided me. Who saw that coming.

I can see some court appointees being asked to attend 'Attitude Adjustment Academy'

Maybe the PM finally realized the damage this was doing to the countries reputation and having his role put under a microscope.

Whatever caused the decision, the ensuing result is what matters.

The only way to save even a little face, but too late.

They students are still going to trial.

Is it not possible that the military court simply made a fair and impartial decision based on the facts of the case, rather than a ruling based on saving face or a realization of the PM?

[Fat Haggis]

Wow..... That decision blindsided me. Who saw that coming.

I can see some court appointees being asked to attend 'Attitude Adjustment Academy'

Maybe the PM finally realized the damage this was doing to the countries reputation and having his role put under a microscope.

Whatever caused the decision, the ensuing result is what matters.

The only way to save even a little face, but too late.

They students are still going to trial.

Is it not possible that the military court simply made a fair and impartial decision based on the facts of the case, rather than a ruling based on saving face or a realization of the PM?

Possible, but highly unlikely given the unwanted media attention it's garnered.

What do you think the reaction from the press would have been if the military court extended their stay? Out of curiosity, what happened to the protesting father of one of the 2010 victims, after he was detained? Was he given the same media coverage?

Whilst you may think this was a courts decision based on facts, the majority will see it otherwise, it makes no odds, the seeds of discontent are still being sown by an extremely Paranoid Junta.

[chainarong]

If the International community was so concerned why are we hearing very little in our expat local press , Governments should be advising that all their carriers flying into Thailand are now stopped until democratic elections are held, unfortunately for the students , that isn't going to happen , as there are no votes to be won on the subject of Thailand , Frankly , nobody gives a rats arse.

Edited July 7, 2015 by chainarong

[Happy Grumpy]

Next the panel of judges at the Koh Tao 'trial' might actually find the B2 not guilty.

Yeah right.

Good on this lot though.

[webfact]

Military court agrees to free 14 student activists

BANGKOK, 7 July 2015 (NNT) - Bangkok’s military court has agreed to free all 14 student activists, who have been detained since their arrest on June 26.

The students were court-martialed and will remain in detainment at Bangkok Remand Prison until the court specifies the time of their release on Tuesday.

The university students were arrested on the charges of sedition and violating the government's ban on political gatherings for holding a rally in Bangkok.

International organizations including the UN and EU, as well as local activist groups, had previously called the government to release the students and drop the charges filed against them for holding a peaceful rally.


-- NNT 2015-07-07

[webfact]

Military court orders unconditional release of 14 student activists



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Military Court today ordered the unconditional release of the 14 student activists after they were escorted to the court to seek permission for the extension of their detention for 12 more days.

A court summon will be officially issued to the Bangkok Remand Prison to have all the students freed late this afternoon.

The students were taken from their the Bangkok Remand Prison before the Bangkok Military Court this morning by the police for court permission to detain them for another 12 days.

According to Bangkok Post, they were arrested on June 26 on charges of defying an order of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued under Section 44 of the interim constitution that prohibits political assembly of five people or more, and of violating Section 116 of the Criminal Code.

The two charges carry sentences of up to seven years in prison.

But at the hearing today of the requested extended detention, the Bangkok Military Court rejected the police request on the grounds the students had no attempt to flee and there was no reason to detain them longer for questioning.

Continual detention will only make it difficult for the students to prepare their cases to defend themselves, the court said.

Of the 14, the 13 male students would be taken back to the Bangkok Remand Prison and the only female student to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, where they would be officially released this evening.

Their lawyer Mr Krisadang Nuscharas said the unconditional release me ants that the students can continue with their peaceful movement as it was their rights.

Besides they have no need to report themselves to the military court because they were not detained under court’s order.

They can go free because they are not considered offenders, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/military-court-orders-unconditional-release-of-14-student-activists


-- Thai PBS 2015-07-07

[LannaGuy]

wow that's good news for once and very politic of the Military Court

whatever glad these kids are out (for now) now they may seek an excuse not to send them to jail

something bizarre like "it's all the farangs fault"???

[brucec64]

Wow..... That decision blindsided me. Who saw that coming.

I can see some court appointees being asked to attend 'Attitude Adjustment Academy'

Maybe the PM finally realized the damage this was doing to the countries reputation and having his role put under a microscope.

Whatever caused the decision, the ensuing result is what matters.

The only way to save even a little face, but too late.

They students are still going to trial.

Is it not possible that the military court simply made a fair and impartial decision based on the facts of the case, rather than a ruling based on saving face or a realization of the PM?

Absolutely not. The Bangkok Post ran an article on July 6 where Prayut stated that he had made a suggestion to the "judicial side" on how to handle the issue.

But nice try...

[oneday]

It is my strong opinion they were released because Mr. P ordered it. No one will ever admit it, but I'm sure he is the one who told them to let them go. He is the #1 military leader and that was a military court that will do as directed.

This is the direct result of very strong UN and international condemnation of the junta's actions.

This also makes me believe that even if they are brought to trail they will never go to jail, but will probably be given suspended sentences so the junta can save face.

The big question is what are the students going to do when they are released today or after their trail. I'm willing to bet they may do the same thing and stage another protest.

This is getting quite interesting.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

If the International community was so concerned why are we hearing very little in our expat local press , Governments should be advising that all their carriers flying into Thailand are now stopped until democratic elections are held, unfortunately for the students , that isn't going to happen , as there are no votes to be won on the subject of Thailand , Frankly , nobody gives a rats arse.

The EU fishing ban, air safety certificates and subtle snubs may be more effective than all out sanctions due to the Chinese threat.

[webfact]

Prison Delays Freedom of 14 Dissidents Until Tomorrow, Citing Regulations
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The fourteen activists jailed for their peaceful protests against the military junta will spend one more night in jail after the martial court ruled to release them this morning, according to a top prison official.

The fourteen, eleven of whom are university students, were arrested on 26 June after they organized a small demonstration against the junta in front of Bangkok’s Democracy Monument.

A military court ordered the group to await trial in prison, but decided to release them after 12 days this morning. The activists’ lawyers argued in court today that the fourteen defendants had no intention to flee the country or interfere with the evidence.

However, Witthaya Suriyawong, chief of the Correctional Department, said prison officials are required to detain the fourteen activists until the 12-day detention session expires at precisely one minute past midnight.

Prison regulations also forbid releasing prisoners at "night time," which means the fourteen will not be released until tomorrow at 8 am, he said.

According to Witthaya, the regulation applies to both Bangkok Remand Prison and the Bangkok Central Women Correctional Institution, where the thirteen men and one woman are being detained, respectively.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1436260020


-- Khaosod English 2015-07-07

[user82374298374]

My guess is that one or more of the students come from 'important' families, and that led to internal pressure on the junta to release them.

[AlphMichaels]

A miraculous, fast, if not well timed (and wise), reversal. Should try to do the same with current drought condition. Seems anything is possible at the moment.

Edited July 7, 2015 by AlphMichaels

[BigBadGeordie]

Prison Delays Freedom of 14 Dissidents Until Tomorrow, Citing Regulations

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The fourteen activists jailed for their peaceful protests against the military junta will spend one more night in jail after the martial court ruled to release them this morning, according to a top prison official.

The fourteen, eleven of whom are university students, were arrested on 26 June after they organized a small demonstration against the junta in front of Bangkok’s Democracy Monument.

A military court ordered the group to await trial in prison, but decided to release them after 12 days this morning. The activists’ lawyers argued in court today that the fourteen defendants had no intention to flee the country or interfere with the evidence.

However, Witthaya Suriyawong, chief of the Correctional Department, said prison officials are required to detain the fourteen activists until the 12-day detention session expires at precisely one minute past midnight.

Prison regulations also forbid releasing prisoners at "night time," which means the fourteen will not be released until tomorrow at 8 am, he said.

According to Witthaya, the regulation applies to both Bangkok Remand Prison and the Bangkok Central Women Correctional Institution, where the thirteen men and one woman are being detained, respectively.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1436260020

-- Khaosod English 2015-07-07

Jobsworth, 15 minutes of fame, now p*ss off back into obscurity,

[diehard60]

This is a shocker for sure, but they still will have to go to trial.

[chainarong]

If the International community was so concerned why are we hearing very little in our expat local press , Governments should be advising that all their carriers flying into Thailand are now stopped until democratic elections are held, unfortunately for the students , that isn't going to happen , as there are no votes to be won on the subject of Thailand , Frankly , nobody gives a rats arse.

The EU fishing ban, air safety certificates and subtle snubs may be more effective than all out sanctions due to the Chinese threat.

U could be right, one good out come the students are free, unfortunately the country is far from free.

[MaeJoMTB]

Not free yet!

[tukkytuktuk]

14 brave student's become famous for taking on the junta and coming out the other side. Balls of steel.

[Alwyn]

If the trial is being held by a military court, how come the military are not doing the investigation?

[wabothai]

Too much heat for the junta I am sure there was a little backroom discussion. This is part one of the game.

Glad though the boys will be freed.

[tigermonkey]

Too much heat for the junta I am sure there was a little backroom discussion. This is part one of the game.

Glad though the boys will be freed.

........... and the girl also !

[NeverSure]

Where I come from we call an act like jailing these kids "grabbing a tiger by the tail". PM 0, Kids 1.