Activists seek postponement of meeting with police

THE 39 PEOPLE accused of illegal assembly while demanding an election by November have postponed their meeting with police until next Thursday, where they will be notified of the charges against them.

About 20 of the accused showed up at the Pathum Wan Police Station yesterday in response to the police summons. They were accompanied by more than 10 human rights lawyers.

Police have accused the 39 of violating the Public Assembly Act for taking part in a demonstration on the skywalk above the Pathum Wan intersection on January 27. 

Seven of the 39, who are deemed leaders of the protest, have also been accused of violating the junta ban on political gatherings and instigating public disturbance.

The protesters were opposing any attempt to delay the next election, earlier promised by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to be held in November.

According to a source, the case investigators will issue a second summons to the 39 accused to meet them by next Thursday to formally hear the charges against them. If they fail to show up before the deadline, arrest warrants will be issued, the source said.

The accused who showed up at the Pathum Wan Police Station yesterday consulted with their lawyers and agreed to postpone until next Thursday reporting to the police in response to the summons, according to one of the lawyers.

Yesterday there was an unusual presence of many high-ranking police officers at the police station and talk of a police request for court detention of the accused. Some of them were afraid they would be unable to find sureties to get bail by yesterday and could be detained over the weekend, the source said.

Bail to be opposed

Meanwhile, deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibhramanakul yesterday said the investigators would oppose bail for the 39 accused when they turn up in response to the summons.

He said the police would seek a court order for their detention while the investigation is under way.

Srivara also said that police have requested the Anti-Money Laundering Office to investigate possible secret funding for the protesters. However, so far no information has been found.