Jailed Thai activists, protest leaders, pro-democracy doctor, released on bail

Thailand’s Appeal Court has granted bail to a number of anti-government protesters and protest leaders, on condition there is no repeat of the offences they’re accused of. They must also report to the court every 2 weeks. Those released include Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan, the singer-songwriter known as “Ammy”, as well as Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, spokesperson for the Student Union of Thailand, Natchanon Pirote, a protester arrested alongside Panusaya, and Parit Chiwarak, aka, “Penguin”.

Yesterday’s three “pop up” protests were held outside of central Bangkok and again surprised police. The protest gatherings all attracted up to 2,000 people each and were held, and then dispersed, peacefully, without police intervention.

The 3 protest leaders, Parit, Panusaya, and Natchanon, were detained for their role in political rallies held at Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus between July 27 and August 10. They have been charged with sedition, violating the Covid-19 emergency decree by holding an illegal gathering, using an amplifier without authority to do so, and breaking the Computer Crimes Act. The other protesters granted temporary release were arrested the day after they attended an anti-government rally at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument on October 13. They are being charged with several offences, including violating the emergency decree and breaching traffic regulations.

Also granted temporary release is pro-democracy medic, Tossaporn Serirak, formerly of the Pheu Thai Party. He was arrested on Friday for helping injured protesters in Bangkok. Yesterday, he was granted bail by a Bangkok court, after he too was charged with violating the emergency decree. His release is dependent on him not repeating the offence and reporting to the court when summonsed to do so.

Tossaporn has allegedly been showing up at rallies to provide first-aid treatment when required, and says he will continue to fight for democracy. Nation Thailand reports that on Friday, he was seen berating authorities for their treatment of unarmed protesters, while offering to treat those affected by irritants from water cannons at the Police General Hospital.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand