Three names given to police; 23 protesters still under detention

The centre was established on April 15 by the Student Federation of Thailand, the October Network and the People, Writers and Artists for Democracy to help find persons who went missing during the demonstrations that took place between April 8 and 14.

"We received 20 complaints about missing persons - three of them have been found already but six are still missing. However, some complainants do not have reliable information to show that their friends or relatives have really disappeared," said Chainarin Kularbum, the centre's coordinator.

Of the six missing, three have already been listed with the police. They include a 38yearold woman from Nonthaburi, who went missing on April 13 after taking a motorcycle to Victory Monument; a 52yearold man who lived near the monument and went missing on April 11 after telling his brother he was going to join the protests; and a 44yearold man from Sa Kaew who had last contacted his daughter on April 10 telling her that he was stationed at Government House.

Meanwhile, the three others missing are male protesters aged 40 or more. They were part of the group protesting at the Din Daeng intersection, which was cracked down upon by the troops.

"We have told the people who have lodged the complaints to file a missingpersons report with the police as well. The centre will also lend a hand in the search," Chainarin said.

Social Development and Human Security Ministry has also been told that two redshirt protesters had gone missing after they joined the rally at Din Daeng intersection.  The two men were identified as Samrit Chaipanya, 50, and Yanyong, 40, whose surname is unknown. 

"The ministry will check with the police to see if they are among the detained protesters," Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai said.

At present, there are some 23 protesters being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison and Central Woman Correctional Institution. Their names can be checked on www.moj.go.th.