Deputy police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul Thursday defended police for charging a group of anti-coup activists who staged a recent protest in the Siam area, saying the authorities acted within the bounds of the law and did not pick fault with protesters.
The activists, who have promised to stage protests every week to continue pressuring the government for a prompt election in November this year, say they will gather again at the Democracy Monument tomorrow.
Pol Gen Srivara said protest organisers must seek permission from local police to gather in accordance with the Public Gathering Act of 2015.
"The organisers must also seek permission under the law and regulations issued by the National Council for Peace and Order's [NCPO] regarding public gatherings," Pol Gen Srivara said.
"So far, no request has been submitted in writing to local police or the military for tomorrow's gathering in the Democracy Monument area," he added.
Red-shirt leader Sombat Boonngamanong, who was among 39 people charged yesterday with illegal assembly on the Pathumwan skywalk late last month believes the charges and stiff restrictions were designed to silence those who demand a prompt election late this year.
The election deadline has been extended by up to three months because of a delay in enforcing an organic bill passed by the National Legislative Assembly. The extension has been criticised as an NCPO attempt to cling on to power.
"I believe the government is afraid of tomorrow's gathering," he said.
In fact, he said tomorrow's gathering will be an event to support Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's own pledge to hold the election by November this year.
"People deserve their freedom to gather and the government should accept this" Mr Sombat said.
Pol Gen Srivara said Mr Sombat's claim that charges pressed against the activists by police were unlawful or were too severe is not true.
"We have evidence to support the charges and they are reasonable and justifiable," Pol Maj Srivara said.
Of the 39 activists, including nine leaders, summonsed to report to police yesterday at the Pathumwan police station, 35 showed up including five of the leaders.
The total amount of money gathered by the suspects reportedly exceeded 900,000 baht for their bail.
The police opposed bail for all those who attended the summons yesterday.
The activists were later split up and taken to two different courts which granted them bail.