Ten leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy on Monday pleaded innocent to charges of staging a 2011 rally over the Preah Vihear temple dispute with Cambodia
Ten defendants, including PAD leader Sonthi Limthongkul, appeared for arraignment at the Dusit District Court, but were allowed to have their attorneys represent them for the balance of the case, as the judge ruled it was not a serious offence.
The court set June 19 for examination of evidence and prosecutors said they will call 67 witnesses. The defence will call 53 people to testify.
Other defendants include Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Prapan Khoonmee, Panthep Puapongpan, Rak Rakpong or Samana Pothirak, Suriyasai Katasila, Therdphum Jaidee, Pibhop Dhongchai, Ratchayut or Amorn Sirayothinpakdi and Thossapol Kaewthima.
Mr Prapan said he and other PAD members were not worried about the case because the rally at issue was peaceful and intended to protect the stability and sovereignty of the country.
He said the attorney-general's office set up a committee to review all cases related to violations of the Internal Security Act after public prosecutors previously decided not to indict red-shirt demonstrators for defying the special law. The panel then ruled that all alleged ISA violators would be indicted, which caused delays, he added.
The prosecution claimed in its indictment that on Feb 8, 2011, the 10 PAD leaders set up a stage blocking traffic on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue near the Chamaimaruchet Bridge to demonstrate under the name of the Thai Patriots Network. They took turns delivering speeches attacking the then-government of prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over its handling of the Preah Vihear temple dispute with Cambodia.
The rallies breached the ISA that the government had imposed in Phra Nakhon, Pomprap Sattruphai, Pathumwan, Dusit, Wang Thonglang, Watthana and Ratchathewi districts.
The 10 PAD leaders denied the charges in an earlier inquiry. They were released without having to apply for bail when appearing before the court on March 10 to hear the indictment.