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Published on August 2, 2007

Police took nine protest leaders into custody after notifying them of charges relating to the previous Sunday's rampage by unruly demonstrators.

Meanwhile, police will seek court approval tomorrow for arrest warrants for the remaining 20 leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship who are alleged to have instigated the violent protest at Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda's residence last month, a senior officer said yesterday.

Although detainee Jaran Ditthaapichai was given bail last Friday, the other eight DAAD leaders opted to demand an immediate release, citing unlawful detention.

The eight are Veera Musi-gapong, Jatuporn Phromphan, Jakrapob Penkair, Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Wipu-thalaeng Patanapumi-thai, Api-wan Wiriyachai and Manit Jitchanklab.

Manit, a retired judge, wrote key arguments for the defence and his lawyer, Jesada Chandee, filed them with the court.

In remanding the eight, police invoked Article 134 of the Criminal Procedural Code. The court subsequently ruled to sanction the remand for two days so as to allow police to complete the booking process at Samsen police station.

In Friday's first remand hearing, police sought the court's permission to hold the eight for 10 more days.

The defence contested the police request, citing Article 90 prescribing temporary release if police have no grounds to suspect tampering with evidence, risk of flight or continued violations.

Due to its tight schedule, the court had to adjourn before it could rule on the defence writ. The eight remained in remand over the four-day weekend.

Yesterday, the defence filed additional evidence to back up its claim that the police had failed to follow prescribed steps in spelling out the charges and in continuing the detentions.

The gist of the defence argument is that the eight had not acknowledged the charges, therefore they could not be classified as accused, which could be grounds for remand under Article 134.

In a related development, Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Maj-General Jet Mongkolhatti said yesterday that he would call a meeting of investigators to issue arrest warrants for the remaining DAAD leaders who led the recent demonstration outside Prem's residence.

He said the Criminal Court has accepted bail applications from the eight leaders of the DAAD who have already been detained and will decide whether to release them on bail tomorrow.

If the court does not release them, police will seek court approval to detain the other suspects for questioning within 48 days.

If the court releases them, police will seek to prevent them from instigating further violence.

Deputy Bangkok police chief Nipon Pumarin said about 900 police officers from the 191 and anti-riot divisions may have to remove a DAAD stage at Sanam Luang at 5am today. The stage is part of the evidence that will be used against the eight DAAD leaders.

If the DAAD does not remove the stage itself within that deadline, the police will remove it, he said. The police would use only anti-riot shield to protect themselves, he added.

"The police must remove the stage because the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration needs the area to organise Mother's Day events,'' he said, referring to the public holiday on August 12.

"The DAAD can resume its campaign after Mother's Day," he said.