The full list of red shirts arrested for their political activism should be revealed, as many apparently face abuse and mistreatment, said the Centre for Information on People Affected by the Dispersal of the April-May Protests - a network of academics sympathetic to red shirts.
Anusorn Unno, a lecturer at Thammasat University and member of the centre, said yesterday that all detainees should have access to medical services. The process of issuing arrest warrants should also be reviewed so suspects do not end up being detained while police build up cases against them.
"The bail requirement of Bt150,000 is also too steep, and suspects should be treated as innocent until proven otherwise," he said.
The centre revealed that at least 136 people were being detained in the Northeast.
"Sixteen in Khon Kaen were assaulted and tortured by police [on May 19]. One was kicked in the mouth, while another was hit by what appeared to be a rubber whip," said Kwanrawee Wang-udom, a member of the centre.
He said one Khon Kaen detainee still suffered from headaches resulting from a kick in his face three months ago.
In Ubon Ratchathani, 60 red shirts are known to have been detained, while at least 12 are being held in Maha Sarakham. "One was detained for unlawfully wearing a bulletproof vest while attending the rally," said Chaitawat Talathon, another staff member at the centre.
In many cases, Chaitawat said, those arrested were physically and mentally abused. The group said some were put into the same cell as prisoners convicted of serious crimes such as rape and murder and were deprived of access to the media.
In Udon Thani, where at least 54 are known to be under detention, the figure includes two community-radio hosts who faced charges of inciting insurrection. One has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
A number of detainees have no access to lawyers, while others refused to allow lawyers from non-governmental organisations they believe to be anti-red-shirts, to represent them. Many rural red shirts also could not afford the bail.
Asked whether the centre had contacted the Pheu Thai Party or the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship to help these people, it said the party and DAAD did not have enough resources to look after all cases.
One case is that of Prayuth Moonsarn, 54, from Ubon Ratcha-thani, who is suffering from cancer and needs chemotherapy. Prayuth is on the run but one local hospital is treating him, although its doctor has no access to chemotherapy. Prayuth is being given morphine and now wants to turn himself in, but with a guarantee of access to medical attention. The centre is accepting donations to help Prayuth.