AIRPORT BLOCKADES

Leaders of the yellow shirt movement are vowing to take police and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to court for incriminating them on terrorism and criminal charges over their blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports last year.

November-December 2008

Lawyer Suwat Apaipak yesterday said the accused would file criminal and malfeasance charges against the police and Mr Abhisit.

Police last week said they would charge 36 People's Alliance for Democracy leaders and key supporters for occupying the two airports from Nov 25 to Dec 2 last year in an attempt to overthrow the Somchai Wongsawat government.

The 36 PAD leaders and supporters, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, will face terrorism charges.

They have been ordered to report to police next Thursday. Mr Kasit reported to the police on Monday and denied all charges.

Mr Suwat said the accused found the charges to be baseless because the siege of the two airports "caused no damage to aviation".

The rest of the accused PAD members will deny the charges when they report to police and then lay criminal charges against the police investigation team and Mr Abhisit, he said.

The prime minister was included because he allowed the police to proceed with the action. Mr Abhisit and the police will face criminal charges for malfeasance and false incrimination, the lawyer said.

Core PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang yesterday insisted he and his colleagues were not worried about the charges because they were the product of a false allegation.

"We believe the charges are exaggerated and disproportionate for actions of ordinary citizens like us," Maj Gen Chamlong said. "We're determined to take legal action against everyone involved in this move against us."

National police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon said the PAD had every right to file a countersuit against the police.

However, he insisted the police had exercised their utmost prudence in considering witness accounts and evidence before deciding to press terrorism charges against the PAD leaders.

The cabinet yesterday approved 8 million baht in compensation for state agencies and private companies which helped passengers stranded during the airport closures, deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said.

The Transport Ministry initially had proposed the government endorse about 678 million baht in compensation for affected businesses.

But the cabinet said airlines, including Thai Airways International, and Airports of Thailand had to seek compensation from those who caused the damage to their business.

The cabinet also acknowledged a report of total losses of 19 billion baht to the aviation industry as a result of the airport closures.