court drops pad treason charges

Chamlong Srimuang and Chaiwat Sinsuwong, two of the nine leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy, last night returned to the PAD's protest site at Government House following their release on bail.

The Court of Appeals dropped treason and related charges against the two as well as seven other PAD leaders not yet arrested.

Chamlong and Chaiwat were freed from Bangkok Remand Prison on bail of Bt100,000 each after the Criminal Court granted them temporary release.

"Although the nine suspects committed illegal acts, there are no grounds to issue arrest warrants on the charge of treason. The court therefore revokes the charge of treason for all nine suspects," said the Court of Appeals' ruling.

In addition to the treason charge, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, the court dropped charges of conspiracy to commit insurrection and refusing to disperse.

Two less-serious charges of illegal assembly and inciting unrest were retained.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat yesterday vowed to do his best and continue to work with patience, saying he would decide his political future when the time was right.

Somchai said his government would not try to reinstate the treason charge against the PAD leaders after the Court of Appeals' ruling. He expressed hope that the court-approved reduction of charges would pave the way for reconciliation.

The premier said his government remained ready to negotiate with the PAD, in order to end political rifts.

PAD co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul, acting on the court's revocation of the treason charge, said he was ready to surrender himself to police to face the lesser charges. He would then ask for temporary release.

Leaders of the PAD approached the police with a view to their possible surrender today, said Police Maj-General Anan Srihirun, commander of the Metropolitan Police's Division 1. He said it remained uncertain where and when the surrender would take place.

In a related development, the Central Administrative Court granted an injunction in a case filed against the prime minister and police by six PAD protesters injured in Tuesday's police crackdown.

The court ruling ordered police to follow international standards and act appropriately in dealing with protesters, and the PM and the national police chief to ensure that policemen on duty strictly follow the court's order.

Chamlong said shortly after his release from jail that the PAD would take legal action against police involved in Tuesday's crackdown and the "excessive charges" filed against the PAD leaders.

Chaiwat returned to the PAD rally site shortly after his release.

He thanked the Court of Appeals for revoking the charge of treason while criticising the prime minister for the violent police action.

"Somchai Wongsawat is more aggressive than Samak Sundaravej. Samak had arrest warrants posted, but Somchai ordered suppression of the people," he said.