Bail denied for NBT break-in suspects

Protesters lay siege to 'govt mouthpiece'

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

The Criminal Court last night denied bail to 82 suspects arrested for breaking into state-owned television station NBT early yesterday morning. The suspects are all said to be supporters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and were led by Thanet Khamchum, 43. There are 78 men and four women. Three are juveniles.

Police from Sutthisan station charged them all with colluding with more than two armed associates in breaking into premises at night, colluding with more than five armed associates in forcing others to take or not to take certain actions by threatening to harm them, possessing firearms and bullets without permission, and carrying firearms in a city area or on public roads without permission.

The suspects are each liable to a maximum five-year jail term and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht.

The Court denied bail for all suspects on the basis they are accused of committing violent crimes.

Police also opposed their bail applications, saying they feared the suspects might commit other violent crimes later if allowed to leave.

The arrested male suspects were sent to Bangkok Special Prison and the women to the Central Correction Facility. Juvenile suspects were sent to Ban Metta reception home for children and youths.

The 82 suspects, mostly wearing the PAD's trademark yellow T-shirts with black jackets and masks, allegedly spearheaded the raid on the NBT premises on Vibhavadi Rangsit road about 5am yesterday. The raiders demanded NBT staff stop broadcasting and damaged property in the building.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said he suspected the armed group at the NBT station were not alliance members, as their actions were contrary to the PAD's strict policy of peaceful protests with no weapons.

Still, www.manager.co.th, the website of PAD core leader Sondhi Limthongkul, identified them as ''Srivijaya warriors'' working voluntarily as guards for the alliance.

About 100 police were called to the station and arrested the 82 suspects.

After a brief search, police found among the protesters one 11mm handgun, one shotgun and several knives of various kinds.

An hour later, there was a further break-in at the NBT as about 2,000 PAD-affiliated demonstrators also lay siege to the station and forced staff to again stop airing programmes.

They also cut electricity in the surrounding area.

About 8.55 am, police escorted a number of NBT staff from the building for fear that they might be attacked by demonstrators. Among the staff was NBT anchor Tuangporn Assawawilai.

Chaos erupted about 10.10am when TV Channel 3 anchor Kitti Singhapat arrived.

Jeering demonstrators threw punches and bottles at him before he was escorted from the station by PAD guards.

About 10am, the station resumed broadcasting, using mobile units.

About 500 PAD demonstrators marched from Makkhawan Rangsan bridge to block the entrance gate of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, as a number of NBT staff were being escorted there.

The protesters harangued the staff, calling for their expulsion. They also demanded the release of all 82 suspects.

The protest paralysed traffic in the area as protesters blocked all four lanes in front of the bureau.

Seizing the NBT was part of the PAD's latest strategy to bring down the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

The most contentious NBT programme is Kwam Jing Wan Nee (Truth of Today), hosted by former Thai Rak Thai party executive Veera Musikapong, People Power party MP Jatuporn Promphan and deputy government spokesman Nattawut Saikua.

They have strongly criticised PAD leaders and organisations appointed by the Sept 19, 2006, coupmaker.

Somkiat Pongpaiboon, one of the five PAD leaders and a party-list MP of the opposition Democrats, said the siege was motivated by anger over the TV station being used as a government mouthpiece, despite it being funded by taxpayers' money.

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