The first batch of 47 political prisoners, including red shirt members, has been moved to a temporary prison in Laksi district.
Tida Tawornseth, chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) speaks to 47 political prisoners, including red shirts,whowere movedtoatemporary prison in Laksi district. TheUDDleader yesterday led agroup of red shirts to give the inmates moral support. THITI WANNAMONTHA
The detainees, comprising 46 men and one woman, were transferred from prisons across the country to the temporary complex yesterday.
The site once housed the Bang Khen private police school before it was converted into a special prison for those facing political charges.The only female prisoner in the group is Pattama Mulmil, who has been charged with involvement in the arson attack on Ubon Ratchathani provincial hall during a red shirt riot on May 19, 2010.
Corrections Department chief Suchart Wong-ananchai yesterday said inmates sent to Laksi jail would be those facing criminal charges as a result of political conflicts after the Sept 19, 2006, coup.
More detainees could be sent if their cases are also deemed politically related.
The department is waiting for word from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission about whether suspects detained on lese majeste and computer crime charges should also be transferred to Laksi prison, in addition to those charged in relation to political violence.
Tida Tawornseth, chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), yesterday took a group of red shirts to the department to give moral support to the 47 prisoners, before they were bused to Laksi prison.
Robert Amsterdam, a lawyer for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, also went to observe the transfer of the prisoners.