Behave or go to jail, court warns reds

Violation of the rules could be considered contempt of court with a sentence of six months’ imprisonment, according to senior officials at the court.

 

Chumpol Chuwong, Chairit Tevapalin, Thammanit Thantiyawarong who are deputy chief of justices at the Criminal Court, Ornusa Krissanalom, secretary of the court and Prayuth Siriran, director of the court directorial office, held a media conference yesterday to explain the rules for people attending the court on that day.

 

The Criminal Court would issue instruction on Jatuporn’s bail following a request from the Office of the Constitution Court to terminate his bail on charges he had harassed judges of the court.

 

Jatuporn faces terrorism charges following his role in leading the red-shirt group’s protests against the then government of Abhisit Vejjajiva in 2010. Chumpol said the Criminal Court needed to set the rules maintaining order during the upcoming proceedings as many of Jatuporn’s supporters created trouble and disorder at the court on July 23.

 

They used loudspeakers to make speeches in front of the court, disturbing the working atmosphere in the court, he said. Some even brought food and drink items to trade in the court compound. Their heavy gathering blocked the road in front of the court, causing traffic congestion, he said.

 

In order to keep law and order on August 9, the court would exercise its authority in accordance with the Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes to order those attending the court proceedings to behave properly.

 

Chumpol said people at the court must not commit acts that could be deemed provocative. Making speeches on loudspeakers and trading items in front of or in the court compound would not be allowed. 

 

The Criminal Court requested the police to keep order at the court during the proceedings, according to director of the court office, Prayuth.

 

Media representatives who wanted to cover the event must register one day in advance, he said.