#Thailand - Jatuporn leaves jail to warm red-shirt welcome

#Jatuporn Promphan, head of the red-shirt movement, was released from the Bangkok Remand Prison on Saturday morning to a warm welcome by some 100 red-shirt supporters.

The chairman of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) was released at 7.10am after serving a one-year jail term for defaming then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Red-shirt leaders at the welcome included UDD secretary-general Nattawut Saikaur, chief UDD advisor Thida Tojirakarn and Korkaew Pikulthong.

Jatuporn stepped outside the prison’s gate to the cheers and applause of his supporters. Their representatives gave him red roses and the red shirts sang a song to welcome him.

Jatuporn then gave a short speech to thank the gathered red shirts, the large number of reporters waiting for him, prison officials and his inmate friends.

He said he had been taken good care of by prison officials and fellow inmates over the year.

Jatuporn recounted meeting some arch political rivals in the prison, including former Phra Buddha Isara, an activist monk who has been defrocked and detained pending a criminal trial. Jatuporn said he had to forgive his enemies in the jail.

Jatuporn said he would attend a meeting with red-shirt leaders at their head office at the Imperial Lard Prao shopping mall to discuss the political future of the movement.

When asked by reporters to name the first thing he would do upon his release, Jatuporn replied tongue-in-cheek, “Getting away from this prison”, and then got in his van and left.

Source - TheNation

 

#Thailand - Massive security force to be fielded for Yingluck verdict.

4,000 officers to be stationed at court as 3,500 supporters of ex-pm expected.

ABOUT 4,000 security officers will be deployed to maintain order at the Supreme Court on Friday, when up to 3,500 people are expected to gather in a show of support for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

On that day, the high court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders is scheduled to deliver its verdict in the case, in which Yingluck is accused of negligence in connection with her government’s corruption-plagued rice-pledging scheme.

Security measures will also include 40 more surveillance cameras and three walk-through metal detectors installed in the area, in addition to three patrolling helicopters, 20 riot trucks and four ambulances, according to Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Maj-General Panurat Lakboon.

Of the nearly 16,000-square-metre court premises, 1,500 square metres would be allocated for Yingluck’s supporters, Panurat said yesterday. 

Barricades would also be erected and officers posted to prevent Yingluck’s supporters – or “third parties with bad intent” – from trespassing in restricted court areas, he said. 

Authorities have repeatedly warned of unidentified “third parties” that could try to create chaos during the event.

The crowd will be monitored using CCTV, the Bangkok deputy police chief said, adding that anyone who violated the law or provoked the crowd would be recorded by the cameras and could expect to face an arrest warrant. 

Supreme Court officials yesterday also told the media planning to cover the verdict that security measures had been laid out including a plan to set up checkpoints at every gate at the Chaeng Wattana government complex, with free access only at the main gate near the Administrative Court.

News reporters were advised to submit their car licence numbers in advance to avoid any difficulties.

A police source said security checkpoints would also be set up in various areas across the country starting from tomorrow ahead of “judgment day”. Any suspicious movements would be blocked and the people involved could be detained, he said.

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