Democracy activists who face charges over a foiled protest at Rajabhakti Park folded their police summonses into cranes in a gesture of defiance on Saturday.
In their first public appearance since being issued with fresh summonses over a failure to appear in court last week, five members of the New Democracy Movement appeared at the Thon Buri railway station to say they will continue to peacefully refuse to turn themselves in.
The five activists are among six people who were issued summonses by the Bangkok Military Court last week after they failed to report to police under earlier warrants.
The other is Thanet Anantawong, who was arrested in a hospital on Dec 13 by the military and has since reportedly jumped bail and fled to Laos. Mr Thanet faced sedition charges and was bailed on Dec 18. On Dec 29, when he failed to show up at the military court, his lawyer was ordered to bring his client to the court within seven days, but the lawyer could not contact him.
The five activists chose Thon Buri station for yesterday's demonstration as it was the starting point for the train trip on which 11 people were arrested. The train was intercepted in Ratchaburi on Dec 7 as the activists were on their way to Rajabhakti Park to stage a protest, calling for an investigation into alleged corruption at the billion-baht monument to seven great Thai kings.
The group was attempting to stage a symbolic graft investigation at the controversial park and were charged with illegal assembly.
Sirawith Seritiwat, 23, said on Saturday that the group would not try to evade the charges, but would carry on with their lives as usual.
Chanoknan Ruamsap, 22, read a group statement ridiculing the summonses as a “reward” for trying to probe alleged irregularities involving the government.
The group vowed to keep track of government projects in the future and fight for democracy to be restored.
Chonthicha Jangreaw, 22, said she had seen a video clip of fellow protester Mr Thanet, 25, since he skipped bail.
After their statement was read, the group folded the summonses into cranes, which they said was a symbol for the freedom and justice they would fight for.
The activists' demonstration was not interrupted by authorities, despite the warrants out for their arrest.
Pol Lt Col Pakphum Decharuangsilp, an inspector with the railway police at Thon Buri station, said more than 40 police and soldiers were prepared to arrest the group, but they cancelled the plan as they feared the group wanted to be arrested in a highly visible way to draw attention to their cause.
He said police were troubled about this case as it concerned national security and careless action might bring about more problems. However, police have sent the notifications to all immigration checkpoints to ensure the suspects could not flee abroad. Police said they can wait to arrest the group as the warrants last five years.
Pol Lt Col Pakphum said authorities are seeking the cooperation of a neighbouring country to find Mr Thanet.