The Criminal Court has approved bail requests for nine people, including lawyer Anon Nampa and two rappers, arrested over the past 20 hours for their roles in the July 18 and Aug 3 rallies.

The court allowed the use of officials' positions as a guarantee for their temporary releases. Three Move Forward Party MPs, two Pheu Thai Party MPs and four academics were the guarantors.

Five more people, including two rappers, were arrested on Thursday, bringing the total held in connection with the July 18 Free Youth rally to eight over the past 20 hours.

At 8.20am on Thursday, Dechathorn “Hockhacker” Bamrungmuang, a founder and member of Rap Against Dictatorship, was arrested in front of his house. The band’s Prathet Ku Mee has become the anthem for anti-coup activities in recent years.


An hour later, activist Tossaporn Sinsomboon was arrested at his home.


Activist Tanee Sasom was later caught at Soi Rang Nam and taken to Samran Rat police station.

Thirty minutes later, Nattawut Sasomsap was stopped while driving on the Expressway by more than 10 policemen. Some of them accompanied him in his car to Samran Rat police station.

Thanayut “Book” Na Ayudhya, 19, a rapper from Eleven Fingers band, was also taken to the police station.



Their charges are believed to be similar to those faced by three people held earlier — ranging from sedition to violation of the cleanliness law.




On Wednesday evening, human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, 36, was the first to held in this round of arrests.

Mr Anon, who was released on bail on multiple charges including sedition in connection with the July 18 rally, faced more charges related to another rally on Aug 3 when he talked about the need for monarchy reforms.


Apart from Mr Arnon, the other three people held on Wednesday night were Suwanna Tanlek, 48, a labour activist who has campaigned for workers’ rights; Baramee Chairat, 53, secretary-general of the Assembly of the Poor; and activist Korakot Saenyenphan, 27. They were arrested separately in Bangkok on Wednesday night on charges of inciting public unrest and other offences related to the July 18 Free Youth rally.


Lawyer Kritsadang Nutjarat said the four activists would oppose police requests and he would apply for bail for them.