Prosecutors have yet to press indictments against 15 pro-election activists charged over a pro-election rally in May, so the Criminal Court returned the bail surety of B50,000 each to nine of the accused on Wednesday, the last day of their fourth period of extended detention.
Rangsiman Rome, 25, law student at Thammasat University, Piyarat Jongthep, 27, Chonthicha Jaengraew, 25, and six other activists reported to the Criminal Court after 48 days of formal detention.
They were among 15 pro-election activists accused of inciting a public disturbance on May 21 and 22 in violation of the junta’s ban on political gatherings of more than five people.
The group led demonstrators at a rally in front of Thammasat University to mark the fourth anniversary of the National Council for Peace and Order's seizure of power and demanded the military government hold elections this year.
Some demonstrators marched to the area in front of the United Nations headquarters on May 22. They were detained and later granted bail after placing 50,000 baht as surety.
After reporting to the court, the nine activists' money was returned to them.
Mr Rangsiman said Wednesday was the last day of the fourth round of detention, the 48 days that were allowed by the court. The court earlier granted bail applications on the condition they must not stage any rallies that violated the law or caused unrest.
Prosecutors were due to decide today whether to indict the group, the core leader said. As the prosecution had failed to make a decision, the detention conditions ended. Their guarantors therefore asked the court to return their money .
He said the prosecutors could still take the case to court as the statute of limitations in the matter was 10-15 years.
The other six activists, including Sirawit Serithiwat and Anon Nampha, did not report to the Criminal Court because they had to report to the military court in another case, and some were engaged in other tasks, according to Mr Rangsiman, who said he was involved in eight cases.
Asked whether his group would stage any political gatherings this year, he said they were firm in their stand to see Thailand free from dictatorship. They continued to monitor the government. He declined to say what activities the group had planned.