Six detained protest leaders who contacted Covid-19 are still in good health, the Department of Corrections (DoC) said yesterday as protesters announced another car mob rally will take place this Sunday.
The infected leaders are Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, Promsorn "Fah" Weerathamcharee, Sirichai "New" Nathuang, Sam Samart, Panupong "Mike" Jadnok and Chatchai Kaedam.
All were arrested for involvement in the latest round of protests and contracted the virus while in detention.
DoC deputy director-general Thawatchai Chaiwat said yesterday that all appeared to be healthy and were showing few or no Covid-19 symptoms, adding they were also having no problems eating and sleeping.
"Everything I have said is according to the medical reports. Mr Parit's condition has improved, as the white patches found on his right lung last Monday are getting smaller," Mr Thawatchai said.
"The hospital ward they are in has arranged space between beds in compliance with social distancing protocols," he added.
Mr Thawatchai also denied rumours that Mr Sirichai was on hunger strike to demand that he be treated elsewhere, saying he was eating.
Meanwhile, activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, also known as Pai Dao Din, announced on Facebook he had tested negative for Covid-19, while nine inmates among 12 in his jail cell also were found to be infected.
Despite this, the court again denied him bail while police also pressed additional charges against him, Mr Jatupat said.
Anti-government protest leader Nattawut Saikuar and Sombat Boonngam-anong announced the group planned another car mob rally this Sunday, saying they will keep pressing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign.
The event is expected to begin at about 2pm from the underpass at Kaset intersection and head to City Hall.
"This movement will show to the world the determination of the people to unseat Gen Prayut," he said, adding larger gatherings are planned in the future.
Meanwhile, Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, warned people who took part in a demonstration at the Sam Liam-Din Daeng junction yesterday they would face prosecution for violating the emergency decree, Communicable Disease Act and other regulations.