Non core redshirt leaders surrender

Surachai//Photo by Krissana Thiwatsirikul

Four men were accused of leading a violent attack on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's entourage at the Interior Ministry shortly after a state of emergency was declared in Bangkok on April 12.

The PM's secretarygeneral Niphon Promphan, his driver and a bodyguard were injured in the attack during which the angry mob threw objects at the limousines.

Suporn Atthawong, a former Nakhon Ratchasima MP who is often called "Rambo of the Northeast", was among those who surrendered yesterday to face charges of trespassing, physical assault and damaging state properties.

Surachai Danwattananusorn, a former member of the now defunct Communist Party of Thailand, also turned himself in.

In Pattaya, 14 more redshirt noncore leaders surrendered to face charges related to the protest that disrupted the recent Asean Summit. They were leading the protesters who stormed into the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the summit's venue. They were charged with causing unrest, obstructing traffic, inciting people to break the law, resisting official orders, damaging properties and threatening physical harm, among others.

When ex-MP Arisman Pongruangrong surrendered earlier this week with 13 others at Chon Buri's Bang Lamung police station, some 200 red shirts showed up to offer moral support. About 100 police officers were present to keep order.

Some of the men were granted bail of Bt500,000 each, while others had MPs from the opposition Pheu Thai Party act as their guarantors.

In a related development, the House of Representatives today is expected to consider a police request for Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan to be questioned during the parliamentary session. MPs have immunity against legal action while the House is in session.

In his letter to House Speaker Chai Chidchob, deputy police chief General Thani Somboonsap said police investigators needed to interrogate Jatuporn in his role as a leader of the recent protest that turned violent. The letter, dated April 17, said police needed to question Jatuporn as soon as possible to ensure a fair investigation without delay and to prevent possible further violent incidents involving him.