Thai activists detained for breaching martial law

BANGKOK, August 25 (TNA) - A group of Thai activists, led by Veera Somkwamkid, who was recently released from Cambodia following his three and a half year- imprisonment on charges of spying and territorial intrusion, has been detained by security authorities for violating the martial law. Police Colonel Prasopchoke Phrommul, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) under the Royal Thai Police, checked the detention of Veera and seven other activisits on Monday, after they were arrested during their walk campaign for Thai energy reform near Bangkok's Victory Monument on Sunday. Police Colonel Prasopchoke told journalists that a judge advocate was investigating the case and collecting evidence, while the group was initially considered as violating the martial law and a ban of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) against a gathering of more than five people. According to the CSD chief, if the military did not file any additional charge, the CSD would release Veera's group on the seventh day of their detention, but if there was any additional criminal charge, police would seek a permission from the Martial Court to extend their detention. Earlier, Lieutenant Colonel Burin Thongpraphai, a judge advocate of the 2nd Cavalry Division, questioned Veera and the other seven activisits and would report results to his commander. Meanwhile, some people and relatives visited and gave morale to Veera's group at the CSD's cell. (TNA)