Top Thai democrats acknowledge charges

BANGKOK, December 13 (TNA) - Thailand's top Democrats, including former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, ex-deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, former premier Chuan Leekpai and former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin, have acknowledged their murder charges at the Department of Special Investation (DSI) headquarters in Bangkok. The leading members of Thailand's now main opposition Democrat Party were among those who inked an order to end a domestic political protest in the country in 2010, which resulted in dozens of deaths, mostly supporters of the red-clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Upon their arrivals at the DSI headquarters on Thursday, the top Thai Democrats faced both supporters of the red-clad UDD and those of UDD's arch opponent, the yellow-clad People Alliance for Democracy (PAD), prompting hundreds of security officers to swiftly separate the two rival groups to stay apart in order to maintain order. (TNA)