Protesters meet police
Anti-Thaksin protesters went to police yesterday to discuss charges that they tried to overthrow the former government, instigated unrest, provoked the public to commit offences and blocked traffic.
Wuthipong Priabchariyawat, director of Millennium Institute, and Samran Rawdpet, senior editor of Phujadkarn, met Pol Colonel Chalongchai Burirat, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division. A third "suspect", former senator Chirmsak Pinthong, faces the same charges but he has gone abroad. He had to postpone meeting with police till later. Police have submitted investigation reports about Wuthipong and Samran to public prosecutors, and they are due to hear the prosecutors' ruling on their cases on November 14. Assistant National Police commissioner Lt-General Chaiyan Maklamthong heads a panel that is looking into a complaint filed by Chalard Worachat, a supporter of the former premier, filed early this year. Police had earlier pressed the same charges against five leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy in May and eight other anti-Thaksin protesters who twice refused to surrender to face the charges, claiming police failed to call them for statements before issuing their summons. Maj-Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit, deputy chief investigator of the case, sought permission from the court to issue arrest warrants. But Criminal Court chief judge Amnuay Thanthara refused to grant permission, ruling that the group had simply exercised rights in accordance with article 44 of the 1997 constitution.
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