A Signed of Declaration by Scholars Over the Court Ruling

A declaration condemning a court ruling denying bail to protest leaders has been released by 126 law scholars and legal experts. In view of this, the Academics from Chiang Mai, Thammasat, Chulalongkorn and Walailak universities, lawyers and human rights activists were among the 126 who signed the declaration.

The conduct of the four protest leaders: Parit Chiwarak, Arnon Nampa, Patiwat Saraiyaem and Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, clearly demonstrates that they are peaceful, non-violent and have been publicly aware of their objectives to solve the problems of the country, in line with the democratic rights of the people.

In view of this,The anti-government organization, Ratsadon, meanwhile, declared a meeting to be held at the Democracy Monument at 5 pm this afternoon to call for the release of the four and a campaign against the lese majeste statute, Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

The group had previously declared a merit-making ceremony for those who died in the famous uprising of Oct 14, 1973 at the Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnoen Avenue at the Oct 14 Memorial and a march for tomorrow to the Golden Mount at Wat Saket in Bangkok

Upon marching to Wat Saket the demonstrators were to tie a red cloth around the Golden Mount at the temple. The gesture is to symbolise the struggle to resolve the financial problems impacting people in their everyday lives and the fight for social equality.

Nevertheless, the temple announced that it will be closed tomorrow for cleaning. In the meantime, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, Bangkok’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP and spokesman for the party, played down speculation as to why nine party MPs refused to help the party in their attempt to amend the lese majeste rule.

In the meantime, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, Bangkok’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP and spokesman for the party, played down speculation as to why nine party MPs refused to help the party in their attempt to amend the lese majeste rule. He said the subject is a sensitive issue, and many members of the party have different views on the issue.

Morever, even without the backing of the nine MPs, however, the party has already collected ample support for the proposed amendments to the law, the spokesman said. An alteration of Section 112 has been suggested by the MFP to make it less punitive.