The suit, filed by the head of a group named the People's Benefits Protection Assembly, was rejected on March 13 on the grounds that the rally was peaceful and traffic police had permitted it, spokesman Attapol Yaisawang said during a regular briefing.

Attapol also discussed the case of fugitive banker Rakesh Saxena who is fighting extradition from Canada.

Attapol said Saxena had requested the Supreme Court of Canada to hear his case and the court would take up to six months to make a decision.

Saxena was accused of looting Bangkok Bank of Commerce of US$88 million (Bt3.34 billion), leading to its collapse.

"It's highly possible his application will fail, as the Supreme Court normally takes appeals of cases that affect public or national security," Attapol said, citing the court's previous rejection of Saxena's bail application.

If Saxena's application failed, he could be returned to Thai custody in 45 days, but if the court accepted his petition it would take one year to hear and rule on the case, Attapol said.

Although the embezzlement charge had expired, Saxena would still face charges of breaching the Securities and Exchange Act if he was extradited to Thailand, he said.

The Attorney General Ofiice's International Affairs Department and Bank of Thailand had seized nearly Bt1.5 billion of Swiss assets held by Saxena and had filed requests to seize more of his assets in various countries, Attapol said.

The spokesman also discussed the case against those believed to have been involved in the disappearance of Muslim human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit.

The Appellate Litigation Office was mulling an appeal against those who were set free by the Criminal Court and the appeal period had been extended until next month, Attapol said.

The Nation