Silent Red Shirts Probed as Investigators Clamp Down

Published : June 20, 2010 :: 11:06:21 [ 1,151 views ]

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigations (DSI) will ask 83 blacklisted individuals and businesses suspected of financing the recent anti-government rallies to come forth for interrogation in the next month. Whilst the continued struggle by detained Red Shirt leaders and Red Guards continues as detention is extended without bail.

Bangkok, the 19^th of June [PDN]: DSI chief Tarit Pengdit explained on Saturday that the 83 suspected financiers of the recent Red Shirt movement in Bangkok will be asked to come forth an undergo interrogation over their involvement with the anti-government protesters. According to the provisions set down in the State of Emergency Decree, any operation must be signed off by army Chief General Anupong Paochinda who is currently on an official visit to Australia.

In a related development, spokesman for the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd revealed that anyone who had been left off the final blacklist of financial backers would have their accounts “unfrozen” allowing them to conduct business as normal within the next few days.

Col. Kaewkamnerd also explained that, during Friday’s meeting, Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan (Deputy Chief of CRES) ordered the Royal Thai Police to report their status in the apprehension of the remaining fugitive Red Shirt leaders and guards. In total, 10 of the central United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders surrendered following the military led crackdown in Bangkok on the 19^th of May along with 3 of the Red Shirt guards.

Bailed UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, also a member of parliament with the opposition Puea Thai Party (PTP), will face court on the 23^rd of June over a DSI charge that his bail be revoked due to a failure to comply with its conditions. The DSI allege that Mr. Prompan ordered Red Shirt protesters to gather and restrict the operations of police and correctional officers in transporting the detained 11 Red Shirt leaders and guards to court on the 15^th of June.

Mr. Prompan’s legal representatives maintain that he was not the leader of the Red Shirt supporters who appeared at the court but said that they had come by themselves, to give moral support to the UDD leaders, not causing any significant problems during the incident regardless. At present Mr. Prompan is out on unconditional bail having posted a Bt1 million bond following the conclusion of his parliamentary immunity at the beginning of the month.

Five of the other UDD leaders; Dr Weng, Kwanchai Praipana, Wiputhalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Yotwaris Chuklom, Korkaew Pikulthong and one UDD guard; Amnart Inthachote, are being detained at Bangkok’s notorious Klong Prem Prison. Whilst three others; Veera Musikapong, Natthawut Saikua and Nisit Sinthuprai along with two red guards Sombat Makthong and Phumkitti Sukchinda are being detained on the same charges at Bangkok Remand Prison.

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