Rights lawyer Arnon, democracy activist Phanuphong attend court hearing on bail
Prominent human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa and Phanuphong Chatnok from the Eastern Youth for Democracy turned up at the Bangkok Criminal Court today (September 3) for a ruling following a Samranrat police complaint asking the court to revoke their provisional bail after they were charged, among other things, with provoking unrest during anti-government protests.
Move Forward Party MP Karom Polpornklang had filed for provisional release of both activists on condition that they must not repeat their activities that led to the charges.
The charges include provoking unrest, illegally gathering more than 10 people to hold an event causing unrest, organising activities that expose the public to a contagion, blocking public movement, obstructing traffic, placing objects on streets and using electric loud speakers without approval.
Phanuphong said that even though he faces imprisonment, he believes in people's power to drive their demand to change the country into a true democracy, adding that their move was in line with their rights and liberties and hence not a criminal offence.
Meanwhile, Arnon believed the Criminal Court would consider this case justly. “Releasing us so we can change the country is better than detaining us,” he reportedly added.