Thais freed after Indonesian coal protest

The Thais detained were Suthi Attchasai, a core leader of the Eastern People's Network and a member of the four-party Map Ta Phut committee, a Chachoengsao province villager, and two Greenpeace staff members. They are expected to return to Bangkok at noon today.

Suthi said the police had arrested them on July 5 while they were attending a media conference at Cirebon, a city on the north coast of Java, 250 km east of Jakarta.

Suthi said the press conference was organised near a coal plant construction site. The plant's staff had complained to police about the demonstration.

Shortly after the press conference started, a group of 70 local villagers joined in, clapping their hands as if in support of the demonstration.

Then the police suddenly descended on the Greenpeace activists. They were taken to Cirebon station and detained for 30 hours. Suthi tried to send messages to Thai reporters, and colleagues, asking for help.

"It was a tough time for me and I was under stress as no one could help us. Moreover, the police could not speak English," Suthi said. Greenpeace denounced the detention of the anti-coal activists, saying that it was unwarranted and unjust.

Police there claimed the group had conducted the campaign without permission as they entered Indonesia on tourist visas. They were accused of causing chaos during the campaign.

Also detained and freed were activists from China, India, Philippines and Indonesia.

Suthi travelled to Jakarta last Saturday to join the group of activists who are demanding all governments and people reduce the use of coal.

Accompanying him was Tara Buakamsri, campaign manager for Greenpeace in Bangkok. Tara was not detained in Cirebon as he was not at the press conference.

Thai NGOs alerted the Thai Embassy in Jakarta about the matter.

Suthi said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had helped him contact the Indonesian government to release him and other detained environmental activists.