Power plant protesters released on bail

SONGKHLA, Nov 30 (TNA) – All 15 protesters against the coal fired power plant project in Songkhla were released on bail last night after they had been arrested on Monday in a clash with the police in the southern province of Sonkhla. The Songkhla Provincial Court granted bail after six lecturers at Prince of Songkla University and Thaksin University used their positions as bail bonds. They are scheduled to report themselves to the court on Dec 12. Sixteen demonstrators against the coal fired power plant project in Songkhla’s Thepa district on Monday marched to meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who was visiting the southern provinces for a Cabinet meeting and a field trip. The clash between the protesters and the police led to the arrest of 16 key protesters. They have been charged with demonstrating on roads that blocked regular traffic, obstructing police's operations and arrest, and illegally holding weapons in public places without any appropriate reason. A teenage demonstrator was earlier released on bail of 5,000 baht while relatives of the other demonstrators were unable to raise enough money for their bail of 90,000 baht each. They were detained at the Songkhla Central Prison before they were released late yesterday. (TNA)