Political prisoners to be moved to new facility
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Some 100 remand political prisoners, including new inmate red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, would be moved to the Laksi holding centre, a new facility designed to detain the red shirts and others facing politically related charges, director-general
Arisman surrendered on Tuesday after taking refuge in Cambodia for more than one year. He faces many political charges, including terrorism, for his role in provoking the red-shirt protests against the previous government last year.
The court denied his bail request on the ground that he was a flight risk.
His lawyer, Karom Poltaklang, said he would try to make another plea for Arisman’s bail next week. Next time, the bail guarantee would be increased to Bt2 million, together with a pledge by Arisman’s wife Rapeepan Pongruangrong, who is a member of Parliament, the lawyer said.
The lawyer believed that the court would accept the plea as many other red leaders, who had also fled from the charge, were earlier freed on bail.
Suchart said the new holding centre will be inaugurated on December 20 and the red shirts held in remand would move in the following day. The separation of the red shirts from the regular remand population is being implemented in accordance with the report from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission, he said.
The holding centre, located in Bangkok’s Lak Si, previously served as a centre for the Border Patrol Police.
Under an agreement with the Justice Ministry, police agreed to turn over the site as a temporary holding facility for those under remand due to their political struggle.
Arisman’s wife Rapeepan, who visited him in the Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday, said the red leader was able to adjust himself to the cell conditions after the first night in prison.
He could not sleep well the first night due to the crowded conditions in the cell, but he would be better later when he becomes familiar with the cell and other inmates, she said.
Arisman decided to turn himself in to the authorities as the red shirt-backed government took the helm, expecting lenient treatment.
He said earlier that his surrender was to show national reconciliation.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said all concerned parties have to help create the atmosphere for reconciliation. “We might have a difference of opinion, but it’s not necessary for us to be divided,” she said.
Asked if her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would return to face justice soon, Yingluck said the reconciliation atmosphere mostly depends on unity, equality, rule of law and fairness for all.
Asked if the government would use its power to help Arisman, Yingluck said there are principles and the rule of law for the government and concerned parties to follow.
