Student leader Prit “Penquin” [sic] Chivarak was freed on bail this afternoon (Saturday) by the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court, on the condition that he must not commit the same offences again.

The Thammasat University student spent Friday night behind bars, at Samranrat police station, after being charged with eight offences, including incitement of public unrest, related to a protest at the Democracy Monument in July.

He has not yet been charged with any offence in connection with the controversial protest at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus on Monday, during which some protest leaders made speeches related to the Thai Monarchy.

The court set the bail for Prit’s release at 100,000 baht and a lecturer from Thammasat University, Associate Professor Adisorn Chantharasook, used his status as bail surety.

After leaving the court, the defiant student leader told the media that he will attend the rally, scheduled on Sunday at the Democracy Monument, adding that he had consulted the police who assured him that he could join the protest.

Prit added that he is confident that nothing illegal was found in his apartment in Rangsit, which was searched by police early this morning.

Several of his supporters gathered in front of the court today to offer him moral support.