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Published on July 28, 2007

Eight leaders of Sunday's violent anti-coup protest were sent to Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday after the Criminal Court allowed 10 more days for their detention.

However, the other detained leader, Jaran Dittha-apichai, was granted bail on depositing Bt200,000 after his lawyer pleaded for temporary release so that he would be able to resume his work as a member of the National Human Rights Commission.

The court, however, rejected an appeal by the other leaders of the anti-junta Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD).

The court claimed that their appeal came after working hours and said they could make a fresh plea on Monday.

The eight detained DAAD leaders are Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Phromphan, Jakra-pob Penkair, Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiputalaeng Patanapumithai, Manit Jit-chanklab and Apiwan Wiri-yachai.

The court's ruling was in favour of the police plaint seeking detention of the nine suspects for further questioning.

At the prison, the eight DAAD leaders received handbooks for prisoners while Manit was separated and put in a cell for the elderly.

Since early yesterday morning, hundreds of anti-coup demonstrators have gathered at Sam Sen police station, the Criminal Court on Rachada-phisek Road, and Bangkok Remand Prison to support their leaders.

They also denounced the junta and police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej for unfair treatment of the DAAD leaders.

Amid tight security, police made their ways through a thick crowd of protestors to transfer the nine anti-coup leaders

from the police station to the court.

About 150 police and soldiers were deployed along the road and to escort the vehicles.

A police source said other DAAD leaders who were continuing the anti-junta campaign at Sanam Luang might face arrest soon.

They include former senator Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, Surachai Danwattanasorn and Methapan Phothitheeraroj.

The detention of the nine DAAD leaders is the second high-profile case in two years of political crisis affecting the divided nation.

It follows a criminal court ruling against three former members of the Election Commission - Vasana Puemlarp, Prinya Nakchudtree and Virachai Naewboonnien - for illegalities in the controversial general election of April 2, 2006.

Maj-General Jate Mongkolhatthi, Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner, said earlier that the DAAD leaders gave useful information during questioning at Samsen Police Station on Thursday night, although they denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Police would need at least another month to complete the investigation, he said.

The nine men have been detained in connection with Sunday's violent protest outside the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda.

They are charged with instigating violence and assembling more than 10 people with intent to disturb the peace.