The 14 students who rallied against last year’s coup were released temporarily from prison in Bangkok Wednesday morning and vowed to continue their protest.
- Photo gallery: Student activists meet relatives, shout slogans
The temporary release followed the military court's Tuesday rejection of a police request to extend their detention pending investigation of their defiance of the government's ban on political gatherings.
The student activists had been behind bars for 12 days after being arrested June 26.
- Earlier: Student release 'eases pressure'
Earlier they had staged repeated demonstrations against the May 22, 2014 coup even though the government had asked them to help maintain peace and order as it tries to carry out national reforms and solve other crucial national problems.
Thai media reported that the students were released about 5.30am. They gathered in front of the Bangkok Remand Prison to reunite happily with friends, lecturers and family.
Among the released, Rangsiman Rome said corrections officials took good care of him but his group would continue their fight. He denied any party was masterminding their demonstrations.
He also said that they did not seek a temporary release themselves because they did not want the military court to handle their case.
The students, who call their group the New Democracy Movement, earlier rallied to mark the first anniversary of the coup and anniversary of the 1932 Siam Revolution on June 24. They again denounced the May 22 coup on June 25 in defiance of the government's repeated orders to express their opinions through forums with authorities.
They were arrested in Bangkok on June 26 and the military court is handling their case.