PAD activist arrested over Thai airport siege

BANGKOK, May 13 (TNA) - Yellow-shirt activist Karun Saingarm was arrested on Sunday, more than three years after his group laid siege to Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport in 2008. Police said after more than 10 hours of failing negotiation, Mr. Karun was forced into custody whilst he remained seated inside his car, which was lifted by a crane onto the back a truck. The PAD activist is now en route from Prakhon Chai district of Buri Ram to the capital Bangkok, where he will receive further questioning at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters. Refusing his surrender to police, Mr. Karun said he was politically intimidated and that was why he did not give himself in. His arrest was made after the Crime Suppression Division police issued the second round of charges, in which a total of 44 people were accused. Most of them had already reported to police and were granted bail. Hundreds of PAD members on November 25, 2008 occupied Suvarnabhumi International Airport, during their demand for the ouster of then Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. The airport saga ended on December 4 as flights resumed and the government resigned. (TNA)