UDD leaders held 'as their aim was to cause confusion'

UDD leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Nuttawut Saikuar were detained while they were planning to go to the Rajabhakti Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province purportedly to check on alleged graft in the construction of the park. 

Sansern said that though the park was not a restricted area, the duo did not really have the authority to check on corruption allegations there. “If they really wanted to check on the alleged corruption, they should have looked at the documents. Their action instead was deemed as instigating chaos and public confusion as agencies checking on the project have not reported any graft,” he said. 

He said the government had to stop the two from going to the park, because there were people who disagree with the red-shirt leaders and it is believed they were planning a confrontation. 

“We did not want the conflict to escalate into violence, and have taken the two in to ask for cooperation to not stage such activities,” he said. 

Nuttawut and Jatuporn were released on Monday night.

Meanwhile, sources from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said the two were detained at a military camp in Kanchanaburi province. After eating with the red-shirt leaders, the security officials spent about two hours talking to them. After that, the officials decided not to press charges as the duo were willing to cooperate. The Criminal Court had previously banned them from staging any political activities as a bail condition. 

The red-shirt leaders were released after signing a document stating that they had been released and that they had been taken care of while in detention, that they were not assaulted, tortured or forced to sign any unfair contracts. The statement also had them promise that they would not stage any political rallies, create conflicts or disturb peace. 

If they violate the contract, they stand to face legal action with their financial transactions suspended. 

Army spokesman and NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said Army chief General Theerachai Nakawanich would ensure security this month, when His Majesty’s birthday will be marked. The Army chief has called on all state agencies to support events this month and security officials have been told to ensure there is no trouble so this is a “month of happiness” for all.