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Published on August 5, 2007

Six remaining anti-coup protest leaders detained on remand continue to share the same cell for safety reasons but are not receiving extra privileges, the Justice Ministry permanent secretary said yesterday.

"The six are not criminals and will be accommodated within the remand rules," Jaran Phakdithanakul said.

Jaran was commenting on speculation the six, which earlier led the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, might be assigned separate cells and merged with the remand population.

He said the Corrections Department would look after the six by "facilitating their stay within reason".

Due to a large number of visitors requesting to meet the six detainees, Bangkok Remand Prison is expected to start enforcing visiting hours from tomorrow.

This is deemed necessary because visitors for the six have filled up all of two visiting rooms all day, making it impossible for people to call on other detainees.

Meanwhile, a new leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship and about 200 followers yesterday handed out anti-charter pamphlets to passers-by in front of Bangkok's Siam Centre shopping complex.

Sombat Boon-ngammano said the group wanted to urge those who remain undecided to vote against the 2007 charter during the August 19 referendum.

Sombat said he is not deterred by the newly-enacted referendum act, which bars people from obstructing the referendum process.

"In principle, there are always different views in a referendum. We only try to tell the public the demerits of this new charter before they cast their vote so it's not illegal," said Sombat.

He said the anti-coup grouping would continue their campaign at Bangkok's Sanam Luang even though three former leaders, released from prison, are now barred by the court from taking part in the campaign.

Of the nine former leaders, Weng Tojirakan, Manit Jitjankub and Jaran Distaapichai were set free temporarily.