Key witness of 2010 military crackdown detained further

The police have detained a key witness of the 2010 military crackdown and another suspect in the Criminal Court bombing immediately after a military court released them on bail.   

On 24 July 2017, the Military Court of Bangkok released on bail Nattatida Meewangpla, Nares Intharasopa, Wasana Buddee, and Nuttapat Onming, suspects in the 2015 Criminal Court bombing.

The four were among at least 15 people charged with terrorism and criminal association for alleged involvement in the court bombing on 7 March 2015. The four have been imprisoned for more than two years.

According to Winyat Chatmontri, a lawyer from Free Thai Legal Aid (FTLA), bail was granted after a 500,000 baht surety was submitted for each suspect on condition that they do not travel abroad.

Although freed on bail, however, the police refused to release Nattatida and Wasana. Nattida is currently detained at the Crime Suppression Division while Wasana is being held at Chokchai District Police Station in Bangkok.

Winyat reported that Nattatida is being detained further as she was also accused under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law, over a message posted on 17 March 2015 on the Line chat application.

The lawyer added that Nattatida has been detained by the military since her arrest on 11 March 2015. Therefore, it is uncertain who posted the message deemed defamatory to the monarchy.

Nattatida, aka Wan, was a volunteer medic during the 2010 military crackdown on the red-shirt demonstrators. Nattatida worked alongside Kamolket Akhad, another volunteer, who was shot dead at Pathum Wanaram temple on 19 May 2010.  

Police detained Wasana further because two cases were filed against her although they arise from the same accusation, said Winyat, adding it is a mistake of the legal procedure and that the measure is unlawful.

Winyat said that he and other lawyers will provide further legal assistance for the two.  

  

(From left to right) Nares Intharasopa and Nuttapat Onming released after two years of imprisonment (Photo from Banrasdr Facebook Photo)

Nattatida Meewangpla (file photo)

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”