BANGKOK, 17 May 2014 – The court has approved bail for Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, one of the 30 leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) wanted for insurrection, under the condition that he remain inside Thailand and refrain from instigating turmoil.
Mr. Sombat, a former rector of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), was arrested on Friday morning by officials acting under the Center for Administration of Peace and Order’s (CAPO) policy of apprehending PDRC leaders who were not under guard or those who could be arrested without jeopardizing the safety of the arresting officials and members of the public.
Mr. Sombat denied wrongdoing, and was granted bail after using the position of current NIDA rector, Associate Professor Pradit Wannarat, as collateral.
The CAPO also confirmed on Friday that Yotsak Kosaiyakanon, a lecturer at Kasembundit University’s Faculty of Law, had also been arrested in accordance with the warrants issued by court this week. He was apprehended at his home in Lat Phrao area of Bangkok.
Bangkok police also attempted to move on Thai-Indian businessman Satish Sehgal at his condominium in Sala Daeng area of Bangkok, but were unable to arrest him due to the presence of PDRC supporters who were exerting pressure on the officials. The police decided to pull back to avoid a confrontation, but not before arresting two PDRC guards who were carrying firearms.
