Police Starting to Arrest PAD Leaders

The following appears in THE NATION:

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TENSION FLARES AGAIN

CHAMLONG ARRESTED

Published on October 5, 2008

Political peace efforts suffer another big blow with arrest of key leader Chamlong Srimuang

Chamlong Srimuang, a key leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was arrested this morning at an election booth in Bangkok.

Eye-witnesses said Chamlong was detained at the election booth at the Seth Sathien School in Sam Sen area of Dusit district where he went to cast the vote in the gubernatorial election.

Police arrested him at 8 am when the polling station opened.

His arrest came after the first of the nine PAD core members, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, was captured on treason charges on Friday.

It was not clear if Chamlong, who is very close to Chaiwat, "intended" to be arrested, according to some PAD observers.

The witnesses said Chamlong told the police who were approaching him: "Let me cast my vote first".

He was allowed to cast his vote.

Chaiwat's arrest was described as a blow to peace overture by the Somchai Wongsawat government. Chamlong's capture is believed to have far greater repercussions.

Chamlong is the most important PAD leader, along side media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul.

Chamlong was taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1's headquarters in Pathum Thani, Channel 7 reported..

Pol Gen Suparp Muenkaew confirmed to NBT station that he went to arrest Chamlong himself.

The previous Samak government charged Chamlong, Chaiwat and the seven other PAD core members of treason after they led seizure of Government House. The PAD has been protesting inside Government House for several weeks, with the key leaders being careful not to leave the compound.

Chaiwat was arrested outside the compound on Friday, apparently after lenient attitude toward the PAD by the new government made the PAD leaders to lower their guards.

Channel 7 reported that other PAD leaders at the Government House was informed of Chamlong's arrest immediately and was preparing to make some moves in retaliation.

NBT reported that Chamlong wrote a letter to his supporters at 6:30 am and the letter was read at the rally site at the Government House at 9 am.

In the letter, Chamlong said it was the duty of all Thais to repay the gratitude to the motherland by joining the demonstrations to bring about political reform.

The letter says: "We all gather here to repay the gratitude of our motherland. We come here to do good for the country and repay our debt to the country. This is the duty of all Thais. Before we die, we must repay the debt to our motherland. No matter what will happen, let all remember that it's duty of Thais to server the nation, religion and the King. I, Chamlong Srimuang, would like to remind all Thais that we were all born with a duty. No matter how tall we are, no matter how our complexion is, how poor or rich we are, we have the duty to repay the debt to the motherland. Chamlong Srimuang, 6 am."

Prawase Wasi, a senior citizen, told reporters after casting his vote at the Sawasdee Witthaya School that Chamlong's arrest would definitely affect the peace political efforts.

Chamlong's arrest would deteriorate situation: Abhisit

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday expressed concern that the arrest of Chamlong Srimuang, would worsen the political crisis.

Speaking to reporters at a polling station, Abhisit said Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would come up with a clear stand whether he would strictly enforce the laws against the People's Alliance for Democracy or would negotiate with the group to try to end the crisis.

Abhisit said he would raise the question Monday when Somchai attends a meeting of political party leaders to be held by Parliament President Chai Chidchob to find a measure to end the crisis.

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The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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Chamlong Arrested

Police arrested core leader and ideologue of the People's Alliance for Democracy Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang when he showed up to vote in Sunday's election for Bangkok governor.

After he voted, he was removed from the polling station and taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 detention at Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok.

Maj Gen Chamlong is the second of nine PAD leaders to be arrested in less than 48 hours. Chaiwat Sinsuwong was detained last Friday, although Maj-Gen Chamlong is considered more important and influential within the PAD movement.

Police had warned all nine wanted PAD leaders they would be arrested if they came out of the Government House protest grounds seized by PAD in August.

They face several criminal charges including a serious allegation of inciting insurrection by their street protests, which began in Bangkok last May 25.

The arrest warrants against the nine include charges of insurrection, conspiracy, illegal assembly and refusing orders to disperse. Insurrection is the legal equivalent of treason.

The US-based news agency The Associated Press reported that police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Suraphol Thuanthong said authorities were preparing to arrest all remaining seven of the PAD wanted leaders "at an appropriate time and place".

Maj-Gen Chamlong, who also is a spiritual leader of the Santi Asoke cult, has been a familiar figure in anti-government protests since he participated in the popular 1992 anti-military demonstrations which overthrew the army-led dictatorship.

The 73-year-old former officer served in several Thai army positions before he retired in the 1970s. He has headed a political party and for a time was closely allied with the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now the main focus of Maj-Gen Chamlong's protests.