PAD appeal against court ban

The defendants also asked the court to consult with the Constitution Court whether provisions from the Civil Code could be applied to limit their constitutional right to hold public gatherings.

Suwat Aphaipak, lawyer for the six defendants, filed the appeal with the court.

The Civil Court last week rejected the defendants' petition on the grounds that the court order was aimed at protecting the rights of those affected by the PAD's blockade of two roads near Government House and the loud noise from its rally. The court also rejected the PAD leaders' argument that the order infringed on their right to public assembly.

The civil case was filed by 10 teachers and students' parents from the Rajvinit Mathayom School, which is located close to the PAD rally site.

In their appeal, the PAD leaders argued that the court order had limited, more than was necessary, their right to hold a protest rally; reduced their ability to keep order at the rally site; and could put the protest participants at risk of attack from pro-government trouble-makers.

The defendants also argued that the plaintiffs brought the case to court with ulterior motives. They claimed the lawsuit was influenced by the ruling People Power Party, with the aim of terminating the PAD rally. The appeal pointed out that the plaintiffs' lawyer, Methee Jaisamut, is the younger brother of Supachai Jaisamut, a deputy spokesman for the PPP.

Earlier in the day, thousands of PAD protesters gathered outside the Royal Thai Police headquarters to call on police officers to "stop being servants to the Thaksin regime".

Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD leader, read out a statement urging national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan to ensure speedy progress of cases against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his political cohorts, and to stop moves against the PAD.

"This is to bring back peace and justice to this land," the statement said.

The protesters later moved to the nearby Siam Paragon shopping complex, where they gathered for a few hours before dispersing.