The Criminal Court has approved arrest warrants for eight more leaders of the red-shirt protest movement, including a police lieutenant colonel, on charges of illegal assembly and instigating unrest during the Songkran riots.
Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay Nimmano, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said a committee chaired by deputy police chief Pol Gen Tanee Somboonsap had presented evidence to support the application to the court.
This included tapes of speeches made by leaders of the red shirts on April 13 at Chamai Maruchet bridge.
The eight suspects named in the warrants are Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Suporn Atthawong, Surachai Danwattanakul, Somchai Paiboon, Pol Lt-Col Waipot Arpornrat, Payap Panket, Methi Amornwuthikul and Pichet Sukchindathong.
The suspects were advised to surrender to fight the charges, Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said.
Police earlier issued a warrants for the arrest of 14 leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Twelve later surrendered to police. Thaksin Shinawatra remains in self-exile abroad and Jakrapob Penkair fled the country.
Three of them - Veera Musikapong, Nathawut Saikua and Jatuporn Promphan - were subsequently freed because the prosecution was unable to indict them within 48 days as required by the law.
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- Writer: BangkokPost.com
