Monday, Nov 26, 2012
THAILAND - A group of 137 people, who had joined the anti-government rally on Saturday and were detained during clashes with police, have been temporarily released without bail while one person is expected to be released after his case is filed in court, Pol Maj-General Thana Chuwong, Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman, said yesterday.
Of the detainees, 133 were charged with violating a security law, one was charged with insulting state officials and three were charged with carrying knives. They have all been released without bail, Thana said.
One person was charged with carrying communication devices without permission and may be released on bail after his case is lodged with the court, he added.
Four have been hospitalised in the Police Central Hospital and could go home straight after they are discharged from hospital, without having to post bail.
The first group of 40 people were put on a bus and released outside Border Patrol Police Region 1.
A lawyer of the People's Alliance for Democracy said most people who were detained were charged with entering off-limit zones and carrying arms in public places. They were released temporarily without bail.
Only a person charged with carrying a communication device without permission and another who drove a truck and rammed it into a police barrier needed to post bail pleas for release.
A 17-year-old man, the only under-aged person in the group, said he came from Prachuab Khiri Khan and had joined the protest because he wanted the country to be free from corruption. He said he was standing in front of the crowd during the clash and was frightened when tear gas canisters were thrown into the crowd. He ran towards the police for help but was rounded up with others.
Twenty-two of 82 people injured at the rally were still being treated at Police Central Hospital yesterday, an official said.
Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahamethamat said that of the 82 injured, 52 were civilians, 29 were police and one was a soldier. No deaths were reported and most of the injuries were not serious. They were sent to nearby hospitals such as Ramathibodi, Mission and Ratjavithi hospitals.
Narong said the medical teams that worked to assist injured people during the rally have gained more experience in working in an emergency situation. In future rallies, he said, he would provide doctors on the spot for speedy medical treatments of protesters.
