An anti-coup protester was detained for seven days and charged with defying the junta, while seven other anti-coup protesters will be tried in a military court. 

 

The police in Chiang Rai Province on June 9 accused Sarawut Kulomturapoj of protesting against the junta and disseminating anti-military messages on the Internet.

 

The military in northern Chiang Rai Province raided his house on May 31, but he was not home. Sarawut then reported to the military on June 1. He was detained at Mengrai Maharaj military camp for seven days, then at Chiang Rai police station for one night before being granted bail on Jun 9. 

 

Sarawut said he was charged because of his actions on Sunday May 25 when anti-junta protesters in Chiang Rai organized an anti-junta gathering at McDonald’s Chiang Rai branch, parallel to the gathering at McDonald’s at Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong intersection.

 

“Holding a placard is not crime,” reads one of Sarawut’s placards, shown at McDonald’s.

 

He was forced to sign an agreement to stop political activities and to stop expressing opinions on politics through whatever channel. He is scheduled to report to the military court for the first time on June 14. 

 

While Sarawut was not arrested at the scene, seven other protesters were arrested at the fast-food restaurant and now face trial in a military court. 

 

The seven protesters, including local red-shirt leaders, on Tuesday June 10 reported to the military court. They are scheduled to report again on June 13. 

 

They are charged with participating in a public assembly of more than five people and face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to 20,000 baht.