Court decides today on Yoswarit's bail

Yoswarit, a comedian better known by his professional name Jeng Dokjik, had his bail revoked by the court two weeks ago after it found that he had intimidated Constitution Court judges during a political rally.

Yoswarit’s lawyer, Winyatti Chartmontree, submitted a new request to the Criminal Court on Monday, seeking new bail for the red-shirt leader.

The Criminal Court yesterday heard the reasons put forward by Yoswarit’s lawyer and witnesses as to why he should be freed temporarily again. Democrat MP Nipit Intharasombat, who earlier requested the revocation of Yoswarit’s bail, also came to the court to voice opposition to his being released.

Yoswarit told the court yesterday he had spent two weeks in jail to review his statement and felt sorry for his behaviour. He said that if he received the court’s mercy and was released on bail again, he would never violate the bail conditions and would be careful not to violate any person’s rights or liberty or violate the laws again.

Yoswarit said he wanted to be freed to perform his duty as an assistant secretary to Deputy Interior Minister Thanis Thiengthong and he needed to work to take care of his family.

He said he would send a formal apology to the Constitution Court judges if he were released.

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok and former deputy interior minister Sermsak Pongphanit also testified to the court that Yoswarit would behave after his release.

But Nipit told the court that Yoswarit had been detained for only two weeks. He said Yoswarit should be detained longer so that he would not repeat the same behaviour. There were no new conditions that should persuade the court to release Yoswarit temporarily, Nipit said.

The court scheduled its decision for 10:30am today.