'Red Siam' leader Surachai arrested for insulting monarchy
BANGKOK, Feb 22 - Thai police on Tuesday arrested Red Shirt core faction leader Surachai Danwattananusorn for allegedly committing lese majeste, insulting the country's revered monarchy.
Pol Col Arnat Kledmani, deputy commissioner of Bangkok Metropolitan Police Division 4, said Tuesday's arrest came as the criminal court issued an arrest warrant against the leader of "Red Siam", a Red Shirt faction, on Jan 7 for insulting the monarchy.
He said Mr Surachai, known as Surachai Saedan, will be questioned thoroughly and police will seek court approval to detain him tomorrow.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Red Shirt activist said he was arrested after he finished his speech at Sanam Luang and was about to enter his home.
The suspect said he is ready to fight the charge and has never thought to escape prosecution.
Mr Surachai said he believed his arrest came following his remarks insulting the monarchy at Imperial World department store in Bangkoks Lad Prao in late 2010, while saying he will neither confess nor deny the accusation but will seek bail if allowed so that he can prepare to contest the charges in court.
Formerly convicted as a communist, he also pledged that he will continue his campaign for revocation of some articles of the Constitution. (MCOT online news)
Pol Col Arnat Kledmani, deputy commissioner of Bangkok Metropolitan Police Division 4, said Tuesday's arrest came as the criminal court issued an arrest warrant against the leader of "Red Siam", a Red Shirt faction, on Jan 7 for insulting the monarchy.
He said Mr Surachai, known as Surachai Saedan, will be questioned thoroughly and police will seek court approval to detain him tomorrow.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Red Shirt activist said he was arrested after he finished his speech at Sanam Luang and was about to enter his home.
The suspect said he is ready to fight the charge and has never thought to escape prosecution.
Mr Surachai said he believed his arrest came following his remarks insulting the monarchy at Imperial World department store in Bangkoks Lad Prao in late 2010, while saying he will neither confess nor deny the accusation but will seek bail if allowed so that he can prepare to contest the charges in court.
Formerly convicted as a communist, he also pledged that he will continue his campaign for revocation of some articles of the Constitution. (MCOT online news)
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