POLITICS
The Civil Court yesterday threw out an appeal by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against an injunction telling it to quieten down. The court said the anti-government group had exercised its right to rally to the point where it was violating the rights of other people.
The court stood by its earlier injunction telling the PAD to unblock Rama V and Phitsanulok roads and lower the volume of its loudspeakers during school hours, at the request of Rajavinit school students and parents.
The court rejected the PAD's argument that peaceful demonstrations were guaranteed by the constitution.
The rally was in breach of other people's rights because the public and students were denied access to the roads. Those people's rights must be protected too, the court said.
The court did not accept the PAD's argument that the road blockade was meant to prevent government supporters from assaulting rally-goers.
PAD lawyer Nitithorn Lamluea said the group would appeal against the ruling.
Lawyer for the plaintiffs Methee Jaisamut said parents and students would ask the court to enforce the injunction, saying the PAD only cleared parts of Rama V and Phitsanulok roads about 7am, and blocked them again after 4.30pm.
Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Aswin Kwanmuang said the court ordered the PAD to open the roads 24 hours a day, not between 7.30am and 4.30pm, which applies only to loudspeaker use. He hoped the PAD would abide by the court ruling.
PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang yesterday took to the stage and turned on the loudspeakers at 4.22pm.
He said that at 4.30pm, the PAD would block the roads, while maintaining that the group respected the court's order.
At exactly 4.30pm, the PAD's security teams erected metal barricades blocking the roads at Nang Loeng intersection, Wat Benjamabophit intersection and Misakawan intersection.
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