Bangkok Post

Red-shirt leader Yossawaris Chuklom, better known as Jeng Dokchik, is taken to jail after the Criminal Court yesterday revoked his bail for intimidating Constitution Court judges. THITI WANNAMONTHA

Yossawaris Chuklom, also known as Jeng Dokchik from his time as a comedian, was the only one among 19 United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leaders who lost his freedom Wednesday.

The 18 others, including Jatuporn Prompan, remain free on bail.

However, the court has prohibited them travelling abroad or from going up on stage to speak in a way that incites unrest or violates the law.

Mr Yossawaris was among red-shirt leaders who criticised the Constitution Court for ordering parliament on June 1 to postpone the third reading of a constitution amendment bill allegedly designed to favour fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In a previous speech, Mr Yossawaris had announced the personal information of Constitution Court judges including their phone numbers and urged demonstrators to visit and call them.

The Criminal Court ruled that his action as well as his voice, facial expressions and gestures proved that he intended to incite hatred against the court.

The judges also found Mr Yossawaris had tried to intimidate the Constitution Court and had an intention to create unrest for political gain by encouraging people to violate laws.

The ruling prompted hundreds of red shirts in front of the court to boo and burst into tears. UDD spokesman Worawut Wichaidit used police loudspeakers to tell demonstrators to stay calm.

Mr Jatuporn expressed his sympathy for Mr Yossawaris but said the UDD respected the court's order.

UDD co-leader Natthawut Saikua said it was the fate of a warrior and that many protesters were political prisoners.

Several red shirts used social media to agree with the court's ruling.

"It was a good lesson for a neglectful and emotional public speaker," wrote Petcy on his Twitter account.

"I like red shirts but a proved wrongdoer deserved punishment and aggressive red-shirt people should tone down their expressions," Gunkaka wrote.

Mr Yossawaris was among red-shirt leaders who were jailed on terrorism charges after their prolonged and violent protest against the Abhisit Vejjajiva government in Bangkok ended in May 2010.

They were released on bail in February last year on condition that they must not incite violence. The Office of the Constitution Court asked the Criminal Court to revoke the bail of 24 leaders following their strong criticisms of the Constitution Court.