Thai coup protest leaders face weeks of jail

[struggle4progress]

Source: Reuters

Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:28PM IST

~snip~ The eight, a mixture of academics opposed to last September's military coup and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have been held since Thursday, when they were charged with organising an illegal demonstration and instigating unrest.

"The protestors can be detained for up to 48 days," Police Colonel Supisarn Bhakdinarinath told Reuters, although he said if investigations into last Sunday's clashes with police were completed quicker, their pre-trial detention would be shorter.

The eight have denied the charges and refused to apply for bail. A ninth man was released on bail on Friday. ~snip~

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-28698820070728

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-28698820070728

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Thousands of Thais protest against junta

Bangkok, July 28: At least 5,000 Thais rallied under tight security in Bangkok Saturday to demand an end to the country's army-backed government amid fears of a repeat of last Sunday's violence. ~snip~

Police have allowed protesters to rally only inside Sanam Luang and warned people would be arrested if they marched outside the plaza. ~snip~

"We are urging people to vote against this constitution, which was drafted in a non-democratic manner," said Maethaphan. ~snip~

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=385590&sid=SAS&sname=&news=Thousands%20of%20Thais%20protest%20against%20junta


Nine politicians charged over Bangkok protest
Last Updated 26/07/2007, 21:44:45

In Bangkok, nine Thai politicians have been charged over their role in Sunday night's violent anti-government protest.

Our South East Asia correspondent, Karen Percy, says the men are part of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship and have been charged with instigating unrest and resisting the police. ~snip~

Some protesters lobbed bottles and rocks at the house, and demanded General Prem's resignation.

They say he is pulling the strings of the military junta which came to power in September of last year. ~snip~

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1989536.htm


Thailand threatens state of emergency if protests escalate
Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:41

ANGKOK (Thomson Financial) - Thailand's defence minister warned Thursday that the military-backed government could impose a state of emergency in Bangkok if more violence breaks out at anti-coup protests.

General Boonrawd Somtas told the army-installed parliament that the government will not allow a repeat of clashes last Sunday between protesters and police, when more than 100 people were injured.

'The government will not allow such violence to happen again,' the minister said.

'If police cannot control the situation, the army will invoke the law -- like an emergency decree. The army always has forces standing by,' he told the parliament. ~snip~

http://www.abcmoney.co.uk/news/262007109214.htm