Khon Kaen model suspects deny all charges, including uprising plot

Most of the suspects were arrested at an apartment building in Khon Kaen province on May 23, a day after the military took over.
At a press conference in late May, Maj-General Thawat Sookplang – deputy commander of the Second Army Area at the time – said the Khon Kaen Model involved a four-step mobilisation or uprising. The first was to mobilise as many people as possible; get ‘mobilised’ people to disarm security officials; get into negotiations with the military; and finally raid financial institutions and distribute the money among people – like a Robin Hood-style operation.
Thawat warned that if the ‘Khon Kaen Model’ had been successful, similar operations were planned in the North.
“Their plans were disrupted after we arrested these suspects,” Thawat said at the time.
Yesterday saw the first hearing on this case.
The suspects come from all walks of life – ranging from a school director and local politician, to farmers and vendors. Most were aged above 50, with the oldest 72. Many have chronic health problems, such as gout, diabetes and high-blood pressure. If convicted, they might face the death sentence.
Since their alleged crimes took place at a time when the country was under martial law, they are being tried at the military court – and once this court issues a ruling, it is final. No appeals are allowed in the military-court system.
The suspects’ lawyer Winyat Chartmontri, who hails from the Free Thai Legal Aid, said he was against the single-court system and would do his best to get the case heard in the civilian system.
“The country is now back to normal,” he pointed out.
Winyat said the suspects had denied all their charges and there was no solid evidence against them. A representative from the International Commission of Jurists were present at the court room yesterday as observers.
According to security officials, 22 suspects were arrested at a building in Khon Kaen on May 23. They were allegedly participating in a meeting. Further investigation led to the arrest of another four suspects and a discovery of various weapons in their vehicles.
Wassana Ngaemchaiyaphun, a suspect’s wife, said she believed her husband was innocent.
“He went out to take up a job of transporting organic fertiliser,” she said, adding that since his arrest, her family had plunged into financial trouble.
“He was our only breadwinner,” she said.
Several people along with the suspects’ families showed up at military court to offer moral support yesterday.