In North, 16 anti-coup protesters arrested, 9 local red leaders arrested, military raided red radios
Mon, 26/05/2014

Nine anti-coup protesters were reportedly arrested on Sunday in northern Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai province on Sunday (1 from Chiang Mai and 8 from Chiang Rai) while seven anti-coup protesters were arrested in Chiang Mai on Saturday alone.

About 30-50 protesters gathered at various spots in Chiang Mai on Sunday to show their opposition to the coup amid tight security by the military, while in Chiang Rai, protesters defied the military junta twice at Mcdonald’s twice.

In Chiang Mai, the military has used barbed wire fences to surround at the gates of the city’s historical city wall where anti-coup protesters have held protests. The military also set up several checkpoints around the city’s main canal.


About 11.30am of Sunday, the protesters started its protest by dividing themselves into small groups to hold protests at different spots, including the consulates of the US, China and Japan, before they gathered again at 1pm at the Kruba Srivichai Monument. A company of military officers followed them from place to place. There was no report of clashes.

At 6.45pm, the protesters gathered in front of the IT Square shopping centre, not far from the Chang Phuak gate of the historical city wall, where the military were deployed. With ‘X’ taped over their lips, they showed placards which show their opposition to the coup and demands for freedom of expression..


The protesters gathered for only 15 minutes and dispersed at 7pm when the military walked to them. The military later walked inside an S&P restaurant, not far from the scene, and arrest “Dang Kaokao,” a local red-shirt leader, who earlier joined the protest and escaped to the restaurant.


In Chiang Rai, as Bangkokians held anti-coup gathering at McDonald’s Ratchaprasong branch, Chiang Rai protesters held a similar activity at McDonald’s Central Plaza Chiang Rai branch.

The protesters gathered at the fastfood restaurant, wore masks with ‘X’ and showed anti-coup placards. About 30 minutes later the military and police officers were deployed at the McDonald’s, forcing the protesters to stop the activity.


Four protesters were reportedly arrested because they resisted the military orders. The four are Songsri Komkam, a member of Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), Songsri’s husband, Songtham Kid-arn, a local red-shirt leader and another unidentified man.

At 7pm anti-coup protesters gathered at Chiang Rai McDonald’s again. Four more protesters, including local red-shirt leader “Jeab Maelao” were arrested.

Military raided community radio stations and arrested red leaders

Nine local red-shirt leaders have been detained by the military after the military raided their houses and offices of red-shirt community radio stations. The first raid was reported on May 22 night. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

Six of them are affiliated with the Chiang Mai United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Two are leaders of Phang Red Shirts, in Chiang Mai’s Phang district. One is from an independent red-shirt faction who owns a community radio station, according to a source, asked to be anonymous due to safety concern.
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The six Chiang Mai UDD leaders are: Pichit Tamoon, Siwan Janpong, Ongart Tantanasin, Supon Foomooncharoen, Sucheera Raksapakdee, Rawrawee Panrawee. The Phang Red leaders are Sawang Wongwilas, Sudarat Promkaew. And the independent red leader is Apichat Insorn aka “DJ Oan.”

At the office the red-shirt “We love Phang, Mae ai, Chai Prakan Club” community radio station, the military raided the office on May 23 morning. There was a confrontation between the military and the villagers who tried to protect the station before Sawang Wongwilas, an anchor of the station, was arrested and taken by the military, according to the source.

The military reportedly raided the house of former minister’s advisor during Pheu Thai government, Thanes Charoenmuang, three times -- twice on May 22 and early morning of May 23, but he was not at the house. Thanes is a former student activist, professor at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Political Science, and former advisor to education ministers during Pheu Thai government.

In Chiang Rai, ASTV-Manager online reported that at least five local red-shirt leaders were summoned to meet the military. Red-shirt community radio stations were also raided.

prachatai.com