Martial Court considers ex-Thai education minister case

BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - The Martial Court is considering a case in which ex-Thai education minister Chaturon Chaisang was charged with defying the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s order and instigating unrest in the country. Chaturon arrived at the Martial Court in Bangkok on Friday morning for a probe conducted by judicial authorities and a request for his continued release on bail. Chaturon's younger brother and sister also appeared at the Martial Court, saying they were prepared to put up a bail bond. The Martial Court later approved the third 12-day extended detention of the former education minister, from June 21-July 2, 2014, as investigators said they need to interrogate three more witnesses. However, the Martial Court did not revoke the ex-education minister's bail and his extended detention was only for technicality. The ex-Thai education minister is facing two charges, including disobeying the NCPO's order by not reporting himself to the NCPO, which has taken control of the national administrative power since May 22, 2014, carrying a maximum two years imprisonment and a fine of 40,000 baht or both, and instigating unrest in the country, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.(TNA)