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Thai protesters demand the release of anti-government activists

Dozens of protesters gathered in front of a Bangkok court on Saturday to demand the release of activist leaders, vowing to escalate anti-government demonstrations with a call for a protest in the Thai capital.

Thai protesters demand the release of anti-government activists

Pro-democarcy protesters stand outside the criminal court building demanding a representative be allowed inside where two leaders are still detained at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

BANGKOK: Dozens of protesters gathered in front of a Bangkok court on Saturday (Aug 8) to demand the release of activist leaders, vowing to escalate anti-government demonstrations with a call for a protest in the Thai capital.

Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, 35, and student activist Panupong Jadnok, 23, were arrested on Friday and held overnight in connection with recent protests demanding greater democracy.

READ: Thai police summon protest leaders for breaching COVID-19 emergency law

Both were released on bail Saturday afternoon, on condition they would not repeat the alleged offences.

On his release outside the city's criminal court, Anon said he would abide by the terms.

"Our demands for a re-writing of the constitution and a rejection of the coup are constitutional," he told waiting reporters.

But the bail decision did not deter a flashmob of around 1,000 protesters taking over a major junction in the Thai capital, the largest since the contentious rally three weeks earlier.

Thailand has seen near-daily rallies in recent weeks with mainly young protesters denouncing the government of former military leader prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha. (Photo: AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

Crowds cheered and applauded the speakers on stage in the pouring rain, many holding up the three-finger protest salute inspired by The Hunger Games movie franchise.

"If we burn, you burn with us," said one placard, continuing the theme.

Another referenced the musical Les Miserables with a sign reading: "This is the song of angry people".

"Whom does the court serve in this country?" Parit Cheewarak, a student leader widely known by the nickname Penguin, told 60 to 100 protesters in front of Bangkok's Criminal Court.

"No matter how senior you are, you are not above the taxes that pay your salaries," he said as police watched.

READ: Thai police arrest 2 leaders of student protests

READ: Thousands of Thai protesters take to street, calling for government to resign

Protesters have returned to Thailand's streets to call for the ouster of the government of 2014 coup leader Prayuth Chan-o-cha after a disputed general election last year that activists say was engineered to ensure his hold on power.

Charges against Anon and Panupong include sedition and violating an emergency decree imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Anon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok (left) , pro-democracy students, and leaders of Thailand's recent anti-government protests, are pictured after being detained, while being transferred to the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand on Aug 7, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Patipat Janthong) Anon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok (L) , pro-democracy students, and leaders of Thailand's recent anti-government protests, are pictured after being detained, while being transferred to the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Patipat Janthong

The court declined to process a police request to jail the two men on Friday because it was filed too late. They were instead held overnight at a police station.

At a protest on Monday, Anon had called for reforms to the monarchy in an extremely rare public challenge to the powerful institution. He was not charged over that protest.

Source: Agencies/ga

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