Red shirts ask Thai PM to revive Criminal Code

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - Red shirt demonstrators have asked Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to change Section 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, to free political prisoners but key government figures have rejected the request. The red-clad group, claiming to represent democratic campaigners and relatives of political prisoners detained under Section 112 led by Jitra Kochadet sent the request to Premier Yingluck Shinawatra at Bangkok Government House Tuesday, through Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, demanding the release of political prisoners who include convicts sentenced under Section 112 of the Criminal Code. The red-shirts also demanded that Section 112 be amended as proposed by the so-called Nitirat group, comprising some senior law lecturers, and the government-appointed Truth for Reconciliation Commission, and that prisoners nationwide receive better treatment, including standard health services and appropriate space in their cells. The red-shirt demonstrators made the demands after a lese majeste convict died in a prison cell last week. Jitra said that the case of the convict, Ampon Tangnoppakul also known as Ah Kong, has deeply disheartened everyone, claiming although eight requests for bail were filed together with evidence that he suffered cancer, the court did not grant bail and he finally passed away behind bars and before his death, he did not have access to standard treatment. (TNA)