Eight human rights and democracy organisations filed an open letter to the president of the Supreme Court yesterday asking it to release detained political activists and to review court regulations on bail conditions.
They did so during a forum held at the 14 October 1973 Memorial that focused on the reform of Thailand's legal system. Later, participants marched to the Supreme Court to file the letter.
The move comes amid a protest by detained activists Tantawan "Tawan" Tuatulanon and Orawan "Bam" Phupong who have been on a hunger strike since Jan 19 as part of their demands for the release of all political prisoners.
Prakaidao Phurksakasemsuk, manager of the Cross-Cultural Foundation, said there were 16 political prisoners as of Jan 19, eight of whom had been prosecuted under the lese majeste law while the rest have not yet faced trial.
Human rights lawyer Somchai Homlaor said the Thai Constitution has focused more on the rule of law and human rights since 1997. However, legal authorities might not fully embrace the practicality of such universal principles at this stage, he added.
He said pre-trial detention should be imposed on repeat offenders or suspects whose crimes involve murder or serial killing. Also, all suspects should not be treated as convicts until their cases are finalised.
"These activists do not have the power to threaten their accuser or interfere with evidence," said Mr Somchai.