A group of Thammasat University lecturers and students on Monday called for the release from prison of student activists and others detained in connection with the recent anti-government protests.
Led by Asst Prof Prajak Kongkirati, a political science lecturer at Thammasat, the group yesterday visited Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul at the Central Women's Correctional Institution and Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak at Bangkok Remand Prison.
He then gave a statement to the press expressing concern over the welfare of all those who have been arrested during the current spate of political gatherings, especially Ms Panusaya and Mr Parit.
On behalf of the group, he called on prison staff to treat them fairly and ensure their welfare, while urging the court to consider granting the students bail to allow them to go back to their studies and complete their exams.
Incarceration could also pose a risk to their health, he warned, adding that both Ms Panusaya and Mr Parit have chronic health problems that could be exacerbated by the cramped living conditions in the prison.
He also urged the public to respect students' right to express their opinions and condemned certain elements in society that have aimed hate speech towards them during the rallies of recent days.
The teachers also brought the two detainees some textbooks and notes from recent lectures to help them keep up with their courses.
In another development, the Criminal Court yesterday dismissed a new request for bail for Ms Panusaya, Mr Parit and Panupong "Mike" Jadnok, another key protest leader, in a case linked with their roles in the Sept 19-20 demonstration at Thammasat and Sanam Luang.
The three were charged with incitement and sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code.
Two similar previous requests for bail had also been rejected.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin said yesterday he had visited them in prison on Sunday when they had expressed concerns about being unable to study ahead of their forthcoming exams. The minister was pictured in the media sitting with the detainees, though they insist they did not talk about politics, only their general welfare.
He said he would ask their universities if anything could be done to assist them further.
All eight anti-government protest leaders are now being detained at prisons in Bangkok, he said.