The 11 red-shirt leaders facing terrorism charges were remanded yesterday for 12 more days after their bail request was denied on grounds of posing a flight risk, sparking a commotion between their supporters and police.
The Criminal Court yesterday agreed to extend custody over the suspects until June 26, but the 11 were sent to Bangkok Remand Prison and not back to the military detention centre at Naresuan Camp in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district, where they had been detained since May 19.
At the remand hearing, attorneys for the suspects proposed posting Bt1 million as security for each of the 11, but the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) opposed their temporary release, citing the possibility of them escaping, tampering with evidence and causing further unrest.
Eight of the 11 suspects were protest leaders: Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua, weng Tojirakarn, Kwanchai Praipana Sarakam, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai, Nisit Sinthuprai, Jeng Dokjik (also known as Yoswarit Chuklom) and Kokaew Pikulthong.
The other three were red-shirt guards: Pichet "Phumikitti" Sukchinda, Amnart Intarachote and Sombat Makthong.
Punishment for terrorism ranges from three years' imprisonment to death.
Although capital-crime suspects are by precedent refused temporary release, two Pheu Thai MPs - Jatuporn Prompan and Karun Hosakul - were freed last week pending a remand hearing despite facing charges similar to those against the 11. But their legal circumstances differ.
Jatuporn and Karun turned themselves in to authorities before they were charged. Under the Criminal Procedural Code, their remand hearing will take place when public prosecutors rule to indict them.
Even though the DSI last week tried to take custody of the two, the court ruled in the MPs favour, because they had already reported themselves.
The 11 suspects were detained under the emergency decree and charged with violating the state of emergency and terrorism laws.
Karom Polthaklang, an attorney for the accused, said he would lodge an appeal today, arguing his clients had no reason to go on the run if granted bail.
A few hundred red-shirt supporters who had gathered outside the Criminal Court grew angry upon learning the 11 suspects had their bail applications rejected. Some of them shouted verbal abuse, while others broke down in tears.
A group of some 50 red shirts parked their motorcycles and laid down to block part of Ratchadaphisek Road near an exit, in order to prevent the wagon carrying the leaders from leaving the court. Some of the supporters tried to hand them roses through the bars of the wagon, while others hit it with their hands.
Police commandos finally managed to keep the red shirts away from the vehicle. The mayhem lasted about 15 minutes. No injuries were reported, but traffic was severely congested around the court.
About 100 supporters visited the 11 leaders at Bangkok Remand Prison and left after 20 minutes. Some of them cried and consoled each other upon seeing them held captive.
Natthawut's wife, Sirisakul, was among them. She said with teary eyes that her husband told her to take good care of their newborn baby.