Student activists refuse to back down despite police threats
Police have issued a warning to anti-government protesters who rallied outside the Royal Thai Army headquarters on Monday (July 20), saying they had violated the Communicable Disease Act and Road Traffic Act.
However, the leaders of Free Youth and the Student Union of Thailand said they would continue rallying because it was necessary that their voices be heard.
Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-General Phukphong Phongpetra said police are collecting evidence and considering whether the leaders of both groups should be charged, adding that the decision depends on the inspectors.
However, he said, though nothing can be confirmed at the moment, the charges will be made under the Communicable Disease Act and Road Traffic Act.
Police are also getting ready to deal with another rally, as the protesters announced last Saturday that they would take to the streets again in two weeks if the government does not meet their demands, namely dissolving the House, rewriting the Constitution and put a stop on threatening people to maintain its power.
Deputy police spokesman Pol Colonel Kritsana Pattanacharoen urged the activists to study the laws before doing anything, because they may end up being prosecuted. He also voiced concern that a third party may stir up violence in the rally.
