PM : No political motivation behind arrest of key protest leader

Written by Writer on Monday, October 6th, 2008

PM : No political motivation behind arrest of key protest leader

BANGKOK, Oct 5 (TNA) - Thailand’s Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said on Sunday his government did not issue an order for police to arrest two key leaders of the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), but said that the police had performed their duty lawfully.

Speaking to journalists in response to the arrest of retired Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang after he left the Government House compound to vote in the capital’s gubernatorial election, the premier said PAD activist’s arrest was merely legal action by the police.

“There is no ulterior motive behind the arrest and the government has nothing to do with it,” according to the premier, who said that “the police had to execute the arrest warrants issued earlier by the court, otherwise they would be found to be negligent in their duties.”

Arrest warrants were issued on August 27 for nine protest leaders on charges including insurrection, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.

Another key PAD figure, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, was arrested on Friday on the same charges.

Meanwhile, Gen Chamlong denied all charges during a police interrogation on Sunday.

Police Maj-Gen. Surapol Tuanthong, deputy national police spokesman, said the authorities on Monday would seek the Bangkok-based Criminal Court’s permission for Gen Chamlong’s detention for another 12 days.

Fifteen thousand police manning polling booths in the capital have been told to stand by to handle possible demonstrations by the protesters at key government offices, according to the senior police officer.

The prime minister also pledged to pursue talk with the PAD through Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh who has been assigned to approach the protest leaders to seek talks to end the months-long protest.

However, another PAD core leader Somsak Kosaisuk said earlier the arrests showed the government to be insincere and that the PAD leaders would “not talk with irresponsible people”. (TNA)