Red Shirt anti-government protesters block Criminal Court

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) - Taxi drivers supporting the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Sunday blocked entrances to Thailand's Criminal Court as well as Ratchadipisek Road in front the office in an attempt to seek the release of a UDD leading member. The protesters went to the court after learning that police would escort Arisman Pongreungrong, a former member of parliament who was arrested early Sunday at his house on the outskirts of Bangkok, to ask court permission for his detention. Mr. Arisman led UDD protesters storming the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit venue Saturday as the region's government leaders were to meet with their six dialogue partners. The summit, held in the resort of Pattaya, was cancelled shortly after. Court officials closed the entrance gates to prevent protesters from entering the building, but my mid-afternoon police had not brought Mr. Arisman to the court. Another group of protesters, led by Jatuporn Prompan, a UDD leader, gathered at the Border Police Headquarters where Mr. Arisman is being held and demanded his release. In another development, two of Mr. Arisman's lawyers told a press conference that police should clearly state the charges against him clearly, and said that they would seek his temporary release. The lawyers also showed photographs of ‘Blue Shirt’ pro-government people carrying firearms and about to shoot at UDD protesters during a clash in Pattaya on Saturday, they said. They claimed that most of the group were actually policemen. The UDD said they would file charges against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Newin Chidchob, a former executive of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, as they had allegedly ordered the armed men to attack UDD protesters.