Student activists refuse reconciliation process, vow to fight their cases

Juthathip Lucksanawong
The Nation 

 

Five defendants after being released on bails in July

 

BANGKOK: -- Five defendants, including student activists from the New Democracy Movement (NDM) and a reporter from online news agency Prachatai, yesterday refused to enter the reconciliation process over their anti-charter campaign and pledged to fight the case, saying they had done no wrong.

 

Also yesterday, their lawyer lodged a complaint asking the Office of the Attorney-General to withdraw the case.

The lawyer for the activists, Khoomklao Songsomboon, said the court went ahead with the process yesterday as scheduled, in which the defendants were asked if they would plead guilty before undergoing "reconciliatory measures". 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Student-activists-refuse-reconciliation-process-vo-30295896.html

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-09-22

Brave.

Taweesak Kerdpoka, a Prachatai journalist was present at Ratchaburi on 10 July to report on another event where 18 villagers from Ratchaburi reported to the police over their participation in a gathering deemed illegal under the junta’s assembly ban. The other four activists had travelled to the police station to give moral support to the villagers. When they were about to leave, their car was searched by police officers.

The police detained Taweesak and the four activists after they found copies of a booklet containing information on the draft constitution counter to that of the Thai junta. They were released on bail the next day 140,000 baht surety each.

http://prachatai.org/english/node/6583

Wrong place at the wrong time.

 "Five defendants, including student activists from the New Democracy Movement (NDM) and a reporter from online news agency Prachatai, yesterday refused to enter the reconciliation process over their anti-charter campaign and pledged to fight the case, saying they had done no wrong. "

 

I hope they are not naive enough to believe that the truth shall set them free.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

Brave.

but stupid

30 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

but stupid

Why? If they plead guilty they could be imprisoned for up to 10 years. They never even distributed the anti charter leaflets. They just got recognised by the police and their car searched. Anyway why can't people voice they're opinion on politics? Do some research about democracy monument, people want to express their opinions without fear. Thai people have the right to deciding their future. 

1 minute ago, Wilsonandson said:

Why? If they plead guilty they could be imprisoned for up to 10 years. They never even distributed the anti charter leaflets. They just got recognised by the police and their car searched. Anyway why can't people voice they're opinion on politics? Do some research about democracy monument, people want to express their opinions without fear. Thai people have the right to deciding their future. 

True but they are young, idealistic and intelligent,admit it, get 5 years on probation probably, no point in trying to break a lance under this regime,as Homer Simpson said, ''If at first you don't succeed give up, no point in wasting time''

As for having a right to expressing your opinions, the PM doesn't think so and he has the big baseball bat, all you have is your head.