Anti-establishment protest leader Anont Nampa is back in jail again, just a day after he was released in Chiang Mai province. The Criminal Court in Bangkok has rejected his bail application, fearing that he might rejoin the protests and cause public unrest if he is released.
Anont’s lawyer, Mr. Krisdang Nutcharas, from the Centre of Human Rights Lawyers, said that the Criminal Court ordered Anont, also a human rights lawyer, to be held on remand at Bangkok Remand Prison for seven days, as requested by Chana Songkhram police
Krisdang added, however, that he will appeal against the order to the Appeals Court tomorrow (Wednesday).
Anont is charged with sedition, illegal assembly and violation of Diseases Control Act, related to the protests at Thammasat University and Sanam Luang on September 19th and 20th.
In another case, concerning the installation of a replica of a Khana Ratsadon plaque at Sanam Luang on September 20th, he is charged with causing damage to an archaeological site, in violation of Archaeological Sites Act.
Anont was arrested by police on October 15th and taken to Chiang Mai, to face charges related to a protest at the Tha Pae Gate on August 9th. He was remanded in custody until yesterday, when the Appeals Court granted him bail, only to be rebooked by Chana Songkhram police and escorted back to Bangkok.
Three prominent protest leaders, Parit Chivarak, Panupong Jardnok and Ms. Panasaya Sitthijirawattanakul, are also being held on remand in Bangkok Remand Prison.
