By Thai Newsroom Reporters
AN ARREST WARRANT sought by police against leading political activists in protest of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was today (Sept. 8) denied by court.
The Bangkok South District Court turned down the request by Thong Lor police station for the arrest warrant for Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikua and political activist Sombat Boonngam-anong, who have orchestrated mass protests near Asoke intersection on Sukhumvit Road against Prayut whom they have been pressing to step down.
Instead, the court suggested the police issue a summons warrant for both protest leaders, who have called off today’s planned street gathering of anti-Prayut demonstrators.
Nattawut told reporters a confrontation or clash between the street protesters and police might probably occur if he held the mass gathering and saw the police show up with the otherwise-court-issued arrest warrant today.
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Such clashes could probably trigger violence, thus, he said, giving the police the sought-after opportunity to quell the prolonged street protests and eventually put an end to the anti-Prayut campaign.
Sombat confirmed he would immediately turn himself in at the Thong Lor police station only if given a court-issued arrest warrant rather than get arrested at the protest site.
CAPTIONS:
Top: The large demonstration at Asoke intersection last Thursday Sept. 2. Photo: TV Channel 7
First below: Nattawut talking to reporters at the Asoke protest site. Photo: Sanook.com
Second below: Sombat Boonngam-anong at Asoke intersection during the protest last week. Photo: Sanook.com
Home Page: A protester carries the red-shirt movement flag at the Asoke intersection demonstration. Photo: TV Channel 7
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