NACC to decide on appeal in 2008 yellow-shirt death protest : PM

“It’s something that we have to respect (the body to perform its duty),” said Prayut, while cautioning against attempts to defeat one another with laws or other methods.
Prayut said the ruling was a matter for the court, adding that all similar cases enter court the same way. He added that the outcome had nothing to do with his previous remarks as the ruling was based on evidence, not feelings. 
He said he personally felt sorrow for those who died in the incident.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders on Wednesday acquitted Somchai Wongsawat, his deputy Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, then-police chief Pol-General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, and then-Metropolitan police chief Pol-Lt-General Suchart Muenkaew. 
The four were found not guilty of their involvement in the crackdown, which took place in front of Parliament . Somchai had attempted to enter Parliament to deliver his government’s policies but was blocked by protesters. The incident left two people dead and more than 400 injured.
In response to the ruling, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which led the protest, held a press conference to pressure the NACC to launch an appeal. It also proposes sharing a plaintiff status in the appeal.
Panthep Puapongpan, one of PAD’s key figures, said the group respected the court ruling, but it disagreed with it. PAD considers that some of the legal facts addressed in the court decision may not be correct, he said.
Panthep noted that the administrative court had ruled shortly after the crackdown that the PAD-led protest was peaceful and weapon-free. He said they would petition the NACC, which has authority to appeal the case. They plan to submit the petition this Monday with new facts and evidence. 
The group initially said there would be a 50-50 chance of the NACC’s appeal, said Suriyasai Katasila, former PAD coordinator.

“The government should not be worried about us and feel rather relaxed,” said Suriyasai.
The group also agreed to set up a working group to follow up on the appeal.
Suthep Thaugsuban, former leader of the now defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which was formed after the PAD, said the PAD is within its rights to petition for the appeal as long as it is allowed by law. However, he urged people to trust in the court and said people should respect its ruling.
Suthep downplayed concern that the attempt to appeal would derail reconciliation efforts, saying they are separate issues. 
He also said there was no problem with people giving moral support to former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is due to hear the court ruling on her case concerning alleged dereliction in her government’s rice pledging scheme, on August 25, as long as they follow the law.
Suthep said it is time for people to learn to respect laws so that the country can move forward.