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Published on August 7, 2007

Six detained leaders of the Democratic Al-liance Against Dicta-torship (DAAD) headed to a rally at Sanam Luang right after their release on bail yesterday evening amid cheers and laughter from 2,000 supporters.

However, Veera Musiga-pong, Jatuporn Phromphan, Jakrapob Penkair, Natthawut Saikua, Wiputalaeng Patana-pumithai and Apiwan Wiriya-chai did not speak at the rally because the Criminal Court released them on condition that they would not lead rallies, give provocative interviews or threaten national security.

A group of about 50 anti-coup supporters welcomed the released DAAD leaders in front of Bangkok Remand Prison.

Despite the court's ban, Veera insisted he and his colleagues would continue their movements because the court did not prohibit activities aimed at restoring democracy.

Jakrapob said the court did not ban him from showing a democratic stand.

All nine DAAD leaders detained two weeks ago are out of jail.

On August 2, the Criminal Court allowed bail for Weng Tojirakarn and Manit Jitchan-klab after each deposited Bt200,000 as a guarantee.

The DAAD leaders decided that as a former judge, Manit could use his experience to look into the details of the charge. Weng would take responsibility for collecting all facts in the incident. National Human Rights commissioner Jaran Ditha-apichai was released on bail a few days earlier.

Nine DAAD leaders were arrested for their alleged connection with clashes in front of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's residence on July 22.

Meanwhile, about 200

anti-coup supporters earlier yesterday asked the UN High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) to investigate what they claimed as unlawful suppression by police of anti-coup protesters on July 22.

They asked UN chief Ban Ki Moon to forward their petition to the OHCHR as they rallied in front of the UN buildings in Bangkok.

In the petition, they asked the OHCHR to bring freedom back to Thailand and sought the release of the protest leaders being detained for questioning.

The protesters carried banners and chanted slogans urging Thais to vote against the junta-backed constitution in the August 19 referendum.

"We would like you to aid their release and to do something to expedite the process of the police's investigation too, to make sure our people are treated fairly," the petition said.

"We are pleading for your help. Please take a proactive stance towards Thailand's growing political situation and see to the restoration of our human rights," it said.

An anti-coup group leader surrendered to face a trespass charge yesterday, one day after the Dusit District Court approved a warrant for his arrest.

Warawut Thanungkorn, 49, a leading member of the Saturday People Against Dictatorship Group, gave himself up to police investigators at the Samsen station at 2pm.

Lt-Colonel Paibool Nom-klang, an investigator, read the charge to Warawut that he had allegedly entered the compound of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's residence at 1:10pm on June 25.

Warawut was questioned for two hours before police allowed him to be released. His lawyer Picha Wijitsilp guaranteed Warawut to secure his release.