Martial Court approves arrest warrants against 28 people

BANGKOK, June 23 (TNA) - Bangkok's Martial Court has approved arrest warrants against 28 people failing to report themselves to the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) as ordered. Crime Suppression Division (CSD) Deputy Commander Police Colonel Prasopchoke Phrommul told journalists on Monday those who are under the arrest warrants, sought by CSD interrogators, include Jakrapob Penkair, former minister attached to the prime minister's office who is opposing a coup staged by the NCPO on May 22 overseas, Khanchai Boonpan, Founder and Chair of the Matichon Newspaper, Giles Ungpakorn, a wellknown academic, Chatwadee or “Rose” Amaporn who lives in Britain, and Ekapob Luara, also known as Tang Acheewa, the last two also face additional charge of insulting the Thai monarchy and are, thus, considered violating Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, but most of them oppose the coup. As failing to surrender as ordered by the NCPO, they are liable to up to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to 40,000 baht. Earlier, Deputy National Police Chief Police General Aek Angsananont told reporters that Chatwadee or "Rose" was applying for the British nationality and if she still holds the Thai citizenship, she can be arrested for prosecution in Thailand right away, but if her nationality change is approved, Thai authorities will seek her extradition. Police General Prasopchoke said Thakoon Bunpan, Managing Director of Matichon Public Company Limited later informed police that Khanchai had had a heart surgery at Bangkok Hospital and had not intended to resist the NCPO's order and police, thus, withdrew his arrest warrant. In another related case, CSD police and military officers brought a leading anti-coup activist, Sombat Boonngam-anong, wellknown as “Bor Kor Lai Jud” (Polka Dot Editor), who was leader of a faction of the red-clad movement, to the Martial Court to seek the court's approval of his 2nd-phase 12-day detention, after the first 12-day detention period at the Bangkok Remand Prison expired. Sombat was arrested on June 5 in seaside Chon Buri Province in the Thai East, also for failing to report himself to the NCPO as ordered. His lawyer is seeking his release on bail. Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Police has prepared to deal with anti-coup rallies, reportedly to be held on June 24 at two locations in Bangkok, one on Rajadamnoen Avenue and the other near the Phra Sri Mahathat Temple in Bang Khen area, marking the one-month anniversary of the May 22 coup. The Royal Thai Police has also set up a committee tasked with overseeing and suppressing Lèse Majesté cases, as ordered by Deputy National Police Chief Police General Watcharaphon Prasanratchakit, in his capacity as Acting National Police Chief. (TNA)