Thammasat activist ‘to deny all charges’

Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat was arrested during the Thammasat-Chulalongkorn traditional football match on Saturday when he joined Thammasat’s traditional political satire parade. 

He was detained by uniformed police officers from Pathumwan station and plainclothes, unidentified security officers.

The charge followed a second warrant issued by the military court summoning him for alleged violations of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) No 3/2015 following his leading role in an attempted protest on December 7 against alleged irregularities in Rajabhakti Park construction projects.

The activist was released on Saturday night after Bt10,000 bail was posted by his acquaintance Ida Arunwong na Ayuthaya, said Pol Lieutenant Pakpoom Dechareungsilp, an inspector at the railway police station where Sirawith was detained.

Sirawith told The Nation that he had been ordered to return to the police station this morning and would be summoned by the military court. 

He said he would insist that he had not violated the NCPO order because he had merely attempted take an action that was not fully carried out.

Khumklao Songsomboon, a lawyer working with Sirawith and other activists, confirmed that legal approach, adding that the activist would also deny other charges issued by the court.

 Because five other activists face the same charges, Khumklao added, she expected Sirawith would eventually be freed regardless of his alleged leading role.

Sirawith would deny all allegations even though he might eventually face prosecution, she said. 

Khumklao also suggested that authorities should investigate more witnesses related to the case.