Sondhi Limthongkul, a key leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, waves to supporters yesterday at the Crime Suppression Division. He and 58 other PAD members reported to police to answer charges over the storming of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in November 2008. SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA SAKONNAKORN
Fifty-nine key leaders and members of the People's Alliance for Democracy have surrendered to police to answer charges in connection with the blockades of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
The 59 out of a total of 79 leaders and members of the PAD summoned to report to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) yesterday turned up to acknowledge the charges.
They included Sondhi Limthongkul, Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Somkiat Pongpaibul, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Suriyasai Katasila and the PAD's "second-generation" leaders such as actor Saranyu Wongkrajang and Anchalee Paireerak.
They were released without bail after meeting with police.
PAD leaders led thousands of supporters in laying siege to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in November 2008 to back their demand for the Somchai Wongsawat government to step down.
More than 100 members of the movement turned up at the CSD yesterday to show support for those summoned to report.
About 50 commandos were deployed around the compound to keep order.
Mr Sondhi said before meeting police he was turning himself in to answer terrorism and other charges. The terrorism charges brought against the PAD leaders by police were meant to bully them, he said.
"All the PAD leaders find the charges unacceptable and will fight the charges according to due process of law," Mr Sondhi said.
Mr Sondhi said after meeting with police for three hours that he had denied all charges and would clarify the accusations in writing within 30 days.
The PAD demonstrators carried only clubs and handclappers during the rally at the airport, he said.
Airports of Thailand president Serirat Prasutanond testified before the Civil Court on Wednesday that the PAD rally was held on the landside access point of Suvarnabhumi airport and had not inflicted any damage on the airport property.
Mr Sondhi said the charges were groundless and politically motivated. He would file countersuits against assistant national police chief Somyos Phumphanmuang, the chief investigator of the case.
"Police must not fawn over politicians," Mr Sondhi said, adding that Pol Lt Gen Somyos should brace for legal action from members of civil society who would take the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Civil Court or the Administrative Court.
Suwat Apaipak, head of a team of lawyers for the PAD, said all of his clients had denied the charges.
Each had different charges brought against them. Some face charges related to the siege of Suvarnabhumi, others have been charged with laying siege to Don Mueang Airport or Government House, Mr Suwat said.
He said the team of lawyers and the 79 leaders and members of the PAD would hold a meeting to discuss details of the countersuits against the investigators handling the case. The countersuits were expected to be finished within two weeks.
Pol Lt Gen Somyos said 59 of the 79 leaders and members of the PAD who have been summoned appeared to answer the charges.
Six others, including Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Veera Somkwamkid and Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, sent their lawyers to seek a postponement of their reporting to police.
Yet another five members of the alliance had already reported to police to answer the charges, Pol Lt Gen Somyos said.
He said investigators would consider issuing arrest warrants for those who have not yet shown up to acknowledge charges.
He said investigators had finished about 90% of the case and expected it to be concluded by next month before forwarding it to prosecutors.
Pol Lt Gen Somyos shrugged off threats of countersuits against investigators by the PAD leaders. He said he had acted in compliance with the law.
"Police must proceed with the case according to evidence. If we fail to do so, we will be sued for dereliction of duty," he said.
Pol Lt Gen Somyos also dismissed suggestions that politicians had interfered in the case against the leaders and members of the PAD.
vocabulary
1. surrender ยอมจำนน
2. armed ติดอาวุธ
3. suppression การปราบปราม
4. storm บุกกระหน่ำ
5. summon เรียกตัว
6. acknowledge ยอมรับ
7. release ปล่อยตัว
8. bail – money เงินประกัน; การประกันตัว
9. lay siege to เข้าห้อมล้อม เข้ายึด
10. commando สมาชิกของหน่วยจู่โจม
11. compound บริเวณ
12. terrorism การใช้ความรุนแรงเพื่อข้อเรียกร้องทางการเมือง
13. bully รังแก
14. clarify แจกแจง ชี้แจง
15. rally การชุมนุม
16. testify ให้การเป็นพยาน
17. access การเข้าสู่
18. inflict ทำให้เสียหาย
19. groundless ไม่มีมูลความจริง
20. motivated มีแรงจูงใจ ถูกโน้มน้าวใจ
21. file ยื่นคำร้อง
22. countersuit การฟ้องกลับ
23. investigator ตำรวจฝ่ายสอบสวนคดีอาชญากรรม
24. fawn over ประจบประแจง, ประจบสอพลอ
25. brace เตรียม
26. client ลูกความ
27. postponement การเลื่อนออกไป
28. arrest warrant หมายจับ
29. conclude จบ
30. prosecutor อัยการ
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