Three leaders of protesting group against power plant in Thai south arrested

BANGKOK, Feb 18 (TNA) -- The three main leaders of a protesting group against the construction of coal power plants in the southern provinces have been arrested and were taken to the 1st Army Region Headquarters for questioning. Members of the group called Protect Andaman from Coal and other networks against the construction of coal power plants in Thepha district of Songkhla province and Nuea Khlong district of Krabi province had gathered to rally against the project at the Government House since yesterday. The Metropolitan Police today had charged in and arrests three core leaders of the protesting group, including Sitthichai Noonuan, Rungkun Kitiyakara, and Akaradet Chaijinda, after which all three suspected were taken to the 1st Army Region Headquarters for an interrogation on charges of violating the order by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which bans all gathering of more than five persons. Large crowds of protesters continued to camp down at the foot of the Chamai Maruchet Bridge, while Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Pol Maj Gen Sompong Chingduang has affirmed officers would try to push out the protesters by providing them with transportation back to their hometowns. In the latest report, the protesters have divided into two groups, in which was stationed near the Government House and the other has moved in areas of the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC). Authorities have been telling the protesters to move out of the area, asking them abide by the law and promised that they would hurt anyone. The protesters have been urged to move out from the governmental area to Phuttamonthon to continue their rally. (TNA)