Khon Kaen police have arrested 26 red-shirt rioters who allegedly torched the city hall and destroyed government properties last week. They are among 70 people named in arrest warrants.
Most of the arrested suspects are local residents and 13 were apprehended on May 19 when the city hall and the local Channel 11 building were set alight. Another 13 residents were arrested later, while police are still seeking 44 others who are on the run.
Of the 44 fugitives, three have been identified through police sketches while the mug shots of the remainder have been posted on wanted notices. Police said most of the 70 were identified through media footage.
Some have been charged with multiple offences with the most common being arson, causing property damage and violating the curfew. Some were involved in arson on both the city hall and the Channel 11 facility.
Meanwhile, a court has approved seven more days of detention for Democratic Alliance Against Dictator-ship leaders weng Tojirakarn, Veera Musigapong and Korkaew Phikulthong.
The Criminal Court hearing yesterday was held via video conference, as the three suspects are detained at the Naresuan border patrol barracks in Phetchaburi province.
The seven-day extension of detention was also applied to four red-shirt activists detained in Pathum Thani, again via video-linked proceedings. One is Rassame Malam, a broadcaster who relayed live audio on radio of leaders' speeches at two protest sites during the protest.
Fugitive DAAD leader Arisman Pongruengrong yesterday faced another arrest warrant after he and his lawyer failed to attend a court session in which he was indicted for defaming Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with statements that the PM was a tyrant and ordered people to be murdered.
The Criminal Court set June 15 as a preliminary hearing.
Arisman is also wanted on charges similar to those faced by fellow DAAD leaders now in custody in the police barracks.