The police on Saturday arrested four activists for organizing a peaceful anti-coup activity and charged them for violating junta’s order.
The four are Siriwat Seriwawat, student activist from Thammasat University, Pansak Srithep, red-shirt activist and father of a boy killed military during the 2010 political violence, Anon Numpa, human rights lawyer from the Thai Lawyer for Human Rights (TLHR), and Wannakiet Chusuwan, a pro-democracy activist.
The police at Pathumwan Police Station charged them with violating the coup order No. 7/2014 which prohibits a political public gathering of more than five people. People who violate this order face jail term up to one year and a fine up to 20,000 baht or both.
The case will be tried in the military court.
At 10.20pm, the police reportedly agreed to allow bails. Because Siriwat was arrested for organizing anti-coup activities several times before, the police agreed to bail him at 150,000 baht. The rest are granted bail at 75,000 baht each.
They were arrested after the anti-coup activity ended around 5.30pm.
On 4pm of the Valentine’s Day, large crowd joined an event entitled “The election that was stolen” which called for an election and commemorated the latest election on 2 February 2014. The activity was organized by the Resistant Citizen group.
Approximately 100 police officers maintained tight control at the event, held in front of the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC), Siam Square.
Natchacha Kongudom, an anti-coup student activist from Bangkok University told Prachatai “Nothing has changed since the coup, the martial law is still imposed and of course the election is no where in sight. This implies that the military doesn’t have any idea how to govern without the martial law.”
“We haven’t received any phone call from the military warning us not to organize the event this time, but I’m pretty sure that they are intercepting our mobile phones anyhow. There are often connection problems when I and other student activist, such as Siriwit’s. In fact, I have not paid for my phone bill for three months, but its still operating”
“Many people show up today which is a good sign. It proves that many are still calling for an election. However, it is still not enough. I want Thai students and the foreign and Thai media to do more in pressuring the junta, especially, the foreign governments who can use diplomatic channels to pressure the regime,” Natchacha said.
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