PAD “terrorists” get bail

While red shirts accused of “terrorism” languish in jail for month after month. Apart from Veera Musigapong, all red shirt leaders and many of their followers were arrested in mid-May and remain in jail 8 months later. The Bangkok Post and MCOT News report that Thai Patriot Network/People’s Alliance for Democracy leaders Chaiwat Sinsuwong and Somboon Thongburan have been released on bail. Chaiwat is accused of “terrorism.”

See PPT’s earlier post on their arrest.

MCOT says that Chaiwat faces nine charges and Somboon has been charged with seven offences. “The duo’s bail request said the accused had no intention to escape legal prosecution as Mr Chaiwat was a former Industry minister while Mr Somboon was also MP and senator. The two had already contacted police for the surrender but the prompt arrest still occurred. The request also claimed that both are elderly people with congenital disease and regular medical checkups are needed. The court granted them a temporary release after Mr Chaiwat pos[t]ed Bt600,000 US$20,000) as collateral for bail and Bt200,000 (US$6,700) for Mr Somboon.”

It does seem that some “terrorists” are less dangerous to the Abhisit Vejjajiva regime than others.