A Briton linked to the red shirts yesterday changed his plea to guilty of violating the emergency rule, paving the way for his release and subsequent deportation since he has already served out his one-and-a-half-month term during remand.
The magistrates court then ordered his release pending the arrangements for deportation.
Savage's charges stemmed from his involvement in the red-shirt rally from March 14 to May 19.
In a separate case, Australian man Conor Purcell has pleaded not guilty to violating the emergency rule. His trial will start on September 5.
Regarding the remand of 11 red-shirt leaders facing terrorism charges, the Criminal Court ruled to extend their remand for 12 days until the next hearing on July 20.
The Department of Special Investigation cited time needed to interview witnesses and check on the evidence as grounds for holding the 11 in their remand cells. The defence did not oppose the remand.
In a separate development, four of the 11 were escorted by wardens to attend the court session related to their involvement in the unruly protest at the residence of royal chief adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda in July 2007.
The four are Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua, weng Tojirakarn and Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai. They entered pleas of not guilty to causing the disturbance and other charges related to the protest.
The court has scheduled August 23 for the examination of evidence from the prosecution and the defence before setting a trial date.
Defence lawyer Jessada Chandee said his client Veera would petition for the suspension of the trial pending the completion of another judicial review, in which the red-shirt leaders sued former national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and the public prosecutors for malfeasance for wrongfully indicting them in this case.