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Published on July 24, 2007

Eight leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) could be arrested today for inciting violence after anti-coup demonstrators clashed with police outside the Bangkok residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on Sunday, a spokesman for the Council for National Security (CNS) said yesterday.

The CNS members concluded after a meeting that the police would today ask the Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against the eight DAAD leaders for tarnishing the country's image, both politically and economically, Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

The DAAD leaders mentioned include Weng Tojirakarn, Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Sai-kua, Jatuporn Promphan and Jakrapob Penkair.

The CNS asked acting national police chief Gen Seripisut Temiyavej to impose tough measures on the demonstrators to prevent a new round of violence like Sunday's, Sansern said.

"They have the right to stage a peaceful rally but we will not allow them to move [from Sanam Luang] to cause trouble," he said.

The anti-coup protesters threw a barrage of rocks, chairs and debris into the compound of Prem's home on Sunday night.

During the clash, police arrested and detained six protesters including Nopparut Worachitwuttikul, leader of the White Dove Group. They were charged with causing violence, using force and refusing to abide by police orders.

Despite the CNS's tough stand, the daily anti-junta rally at Sanam Luang would continue, while small groups would campaign in the provinces, DAAD member Weng Tochirakarn said.

Meanwhile, CNS chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin vowed to halt the anti-coup rallies. He said he would no longer tolerate those who caused trouble for the country.

"I have met a number of people today. They asked why I allowed such an incident to happen," Sonthi said.

"Prem has dedicated his life to the country, so society should honour this good person," he added.

The CNS had tried to compromise with the rally leaders but they did not cooperate, Sonthi said. It was time to take legal steps to control the situation, he added.

The CNS had learnt that the anti-coup protestors would march to Prem's home, but it did not expect they would launch such an attack, Sonthi said.

Sonthi said he went to Prem's home yesterday morning to "apologise for failing to take good care of him".

"He [Prem] said he did not expect that the protesters would have done much harm to him because he had been working for the country for years. Most of all, he loves the country and is very loyal to the monarchy," Sonthi said.

The Army was monitoring the anti-CNS movements in the Northeast, but there were no signs of any significant threats so far, he added.

Pol Maj Gen Adisorn Nonsee said the police were gathering evidence with which to charge the anti-coup protest leaders.

The police had pictures and video clips that showed the leaders instigating violence as the crowd tried to break down barricades in front of Prem's home, he said.

Some 200 police officers were injured during the clash and were receiving treatment at hospitals, Adisorn said.

The most serious case was a crime suppression officer who suffered a broken leg after protesters drove a car into him.

Noppadon Pattama, legal adviser and de facto spokesman for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Thaksin was not involved with the protest and regretted that such violence had occurred.

Anti-CNS academic Somchai Preechasilpasakul warned the DAAD leaders that Sunday's violence would ruin the legitimacy of the movement, which could lead to people switching to support the junta-backed draft charter.

"The people are getting bored with this mess, so they might think that an election will end the conflict," he said.

Former senator Jon Ungpakorn said most of the media was biased and had reported Sunday's clash only by presenting pictures of protestors throwing stones and other objects. But he doubted that the police had started to use force to provoke the protestors to respond violently, which would have given the police a legitimate excuse to crack down hard on the protestors.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he was concerned about the recent violence as it had happened shortly before the national referendum on the draft charter due on August 19. Most people were looking ahead to the election scheduled for December, he said.

Although some people might not agree with the government, they should not cause trouble, he said.

"I believe the incident will not mentally hurt General Prem as he has experienced this kind of situation during his many years in politics," Surayud said.