Court yesterday rejected requests for the temporary release of 114 redshirt leaders and protesters, because they believe that the detainees might cause further mayhem and instigate more violence if released.
The detainees have not been charged with criminal offences, because the detention request was submitted to the Pathum Wan district court under the state of emergency for further investigation and subsequent indictment.
Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) leader Arisaman Pongruenrong is now reportedly hiding in Khon Kaen and had told the police he would surrender at a location that was unknown at press time. Meanwhile, another leader Suporn Attawong issued an open letter to police saying that he would turn himself in only after the state of emergency was lifted.
Many of the detainees, including monks and women, expressed anger toward reporters and had to be calmed down by police during court sessions hearing their release requests.
The Department of Special Investigation now has taken over 115 cases related to the red shirts, including terrorism, arson and sabotage. DSI directorgeneral Tharit Phengdit has warned redshirt supporters across the country to drop any plans to stage future protests, saying that swift legal action would be taken against them.
The Justice Ministry has set up a lawenforcement task force to deter crimes in progress, comprising two police divisions, the DSI and a civilian forensic science unit. The task force can be contacted at 1688.
There are 34 DAAD memŽbers, including those who delivered speeches at the Rajprasong protest site, being held at a borŽderpatrol barracks in Phetchaburi province; another 45 in Provincial Police Region 1 custody; 30 in the Pathum Wan police station; and five in Lumpini police station.
In Khon Kaen, 13 redshirt rioters were yesterday each handed a suspended oneyear prison term as well as fined Bt20,000 for violating curfew. Since they confessed, their original sentences were halved, and suspended because none had previous criminal records.
Though DAAD leader Jatuporn Promphan will be released because of the parliamentary immunity he has as a Pheu Thai partylist MP, the Criminal Court has banned him from travelling overseas.
A number of Pheu Thai MPs had reportedly prepared docuŽments and bail guarantees to secure the detainees' release.
During a police sweep of the Pathum Wanaram temple, where lots of redshirt protesŽtors had taken refuge, a large number of munitions and homemade weapons were found, including belts of M60 machine gun bullets and magazines of M16 rifle bullets.
In addition, police found items they suspect were stolen, including ten boxes of jewellery kept in a Honda sedan with licence plate number Kor Tor 6043Nakhon Pathom, which was parked inside the temple compound.
Five redshirt guards and the wife of DAAD leader Khwanchai Phraipana were also arrested in the temple compound, where six people, including a female paramedic, were killed mysteriously.
Bangkok police chief Santhan Chayanont said certain areas were sealed off including Rajprasong intersection, Din Daeng triangle, certain sections of Rama IV Road, Ratchaprarob and the Victory Monument.