SATURDAY, March 30, 2024
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Human-rights lawyer Arnon, three prominent activists, ‘Prathet Ku Mee’ rapper thrown behind bars

Human-rights lawyer Arnon, three prominent activists, ‘Prathet Ku Mee’ rapper thrown behind bars

Prominent human-rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, 36, and three other activists were arrested on Wednesday (August 19) night over charges of causing unrest, organising illegal rallies and violating the Computer Crimes Act.

The four activists were moved to the Criminal Court detention centre in Bangkok’s Ratchada area on Thursday morning.
Arnon had been arrested in relation to the Harry Potter-themed protest on August 3 during which protesters demanded reforms in the monarchy. Bail request for the lawyer was rejected as police believe he may flee.
The other activists put behind bars were Baramee Chaiyarat from the Assembly of the Poor, Suwanna Tanlek and Karakot Saengyenpan, all of whom are also members of the Free Youth movement. However, they were granted bail later on Thursday under condition that they do not repeat the actions they have been charged for.
Anti-coup campaigner Sombat Boonngamanong said in a social-media post on Thursday that the arrests of Baramee and Suwanna, who have been fighting for the rights of workers and poor people, will have more people join student-led demonstrations to help “push the wheel of history”.
Meanwhile, Dechathorn Bamrungmuang, founder of the group Rap against Dictatorship, was arrested on Thursday morning in Samut Prakan for performing at the July 18 rally.
The rap group became an overnight sensation on YouTube for the politically satirical number “Prathet Ku Mee”.
According to the rapper’s fanpage, police had showed up at his home in Samut Prakan at around 9am to present him with an arrest warrant, before taking him to Samut Prakan Police Station and then shifting him to Samranrat Police station for interrogation at around 11am.
The Criminal Court, meanwhile, has banned the use of amplifiers, microphones or devices that can be used to take photographs at court and surrounding area.

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