The resurgent People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will pressure the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to appeal the Supreme Court's acquittal of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and three others of abuse of authority in the deadly dispersal of yellow-shirt protesters in 2008.
The decision emerged from a meeting on Friday morning of key PAD leaders - including Pipob Thongchai, Suriyasai Katasila, Veera Somkwamkid and Panthep Puapongpan - to discuss the court's ruling.
Reading out the group’s statement, Mr Panthep said former key PAD figures, victims of the crackdown and their relatives respected the court's judgement, but disagreed with it.
The ruling overlooked various facts, and an appeal should be made to the full bench of the Supreme Court.
The decision also conflicted with the views of the Central Administrative Court, the NACC and the National Human Rights Commission, which earlier stated the PAD rally was peaceful and weapons-free, and therefore protected under the constitution, Mr Panthep said.
The police had used weapons against the protesters, and did not follow the principles of moving from soft to harsh measures, he said. The dispersal conflicted with international standards for crowd control.
The meeting agreed to set up a working panel, chaired by Mr Veera, to keep tabs on the NACC, the Lawyers Council and the lawyers and to ensure they proceeded with the appeal by presenting complete facts and legal points, he said.
If the victims were not allowed justice through pursuing the appeal, the PAD would use every legal channel to ensure justice was obtained, he said.
Mr Veera and allies would petition the NACC to appeal the case on Monday, Mr Panthep said.
On Oct 7, 2008, PAD members blockaded the parliament building after moving there from their occupation of Government House.
The demonstrators intended to prevent Mr Somchai from delivering his policy announcement after he succeeded Samak Sundaravej, who was forced to resign the premiership.
The dispersal of the protesters left two people dead and 471 injured.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Wednesday cleared then-prime minister Somchai, 70, his deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, 85, and then-national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, 68, of abuse of authority.
It also cleared then-metropolitan police commander Suchart Mueankaew, 66, of malfeasance.
An appeal can be lodged within 30 days of the ruling.