Three university students in Chiang Mai were detained Monday after they challenged the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s ban on political gatherings by assembling and calling for the release of 14 student activists arrested in Bangkok.
The students, identified as Nanthachart Noosrihaew, Sasithep Chaichom and Pongsawat Khanta, were taken to Phuping police station, a security source said.
They were among a group of 11 students who gathered in Chiang Mai calling for the release of the 14 student activists arrested last Friday in Bangkok at Pathumwan police station for allegedly violating the ban on political gatherings.
The move came an hour before Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha arrived in the northern province for a mobile cabinet meeting to be held today.
About 4.30pm, a group of 11 university students gathered at Waroros market in downtown Chiang Mai, and found soldiers were deployed there to block them.
They moved to Nakhonping Bridge and held their rally there instead.
They wore masks depicting the faces of the arrested students in Bangkok and held banners reading "Democracy", "People participation" and "Peaceful means".
They also read aloud a statement condemning the detention of the 14 students in Bangkok after the military court issued arrest warrants, which they said came despite the fact the students exercised their rights based on democratic and peaceful methods. The group dispersed after they finished reading the statement.
Meanwhile, Gen Prayut urged pro-Thaksin groups in Chiang Mai to accept the course of justice against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Police pulled three people out of this small protest in Chiang Mai on Monday and held them overnight for illegal assembly, a charge under the military regime. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
The premier told people gathered to welcome him when he visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai Monday evening that he seeks national unity and peace.
"I'm glad to come here. Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's 77 provinces and can't be separated. I know who you love. I don't mind who you love but please let the process of justice go through," he said, referring to Thaksin who is still beloved by many people in the northern province.
"You can hate me but please love the country," Gen Prayut said.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Military Court granted a bail extension to two other students who were arrested for rallying on May 22 this year in defiance of the NCPO's ban on political gatherings.
Nachacha Kong-udom and Chartchai Kaedam were released on condition they avoid any political meetings or encourage others to take part in them.