By Prachatai |
<p>On Christmas day, the Criminal Court dismissed all charges against 9 activists who called for an election in front of the MBK department store in January 2018.</p>
<div><p>The movement against the ruling junta has been reignited after the recent protests calling for elections at the MBK department store and the Democracy Monument, but the public seems to be overlooking one of its primary goals, which is to stop the junta from staying in power.</p><p> </p><div>Since late January, the group of activists called the Democracy Restoration Group (DRG) have staged three political activities, which have led to the prosecution of over 70 individuals.</div></div>
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<div>The 39 pro-election protesters have reported to the police to hear the charges against them. The courts released them without bail. </div>
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<div>On 8 February 2018, 34 out of the 39 pro-election protesters known as the MBK 39 reported to Pathumwan Police Station to hear the charges against them. The junta accused the group of joining a public assembly on 27 January within 150 meters of a royal site, in violation of Article 7 of the 2015 Public Assembly Act.
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<div>A network of Thai scholars has launched a fundraising campaign to seek two million baht to bail the 39 pro-election protesters. The junta has also filed another charge against them of violating the ban on political gatherings.</div>
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<div>On 6 February 2018, Nuttha Mahattana, one of the protesters, revealed that the group has to find over 2,000,000 baht as bail for the 39.
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<div>Among the 39 individuals who have been summoned for joining the anti-junta protest on Saturday is at least one journalist from Khaosod newspaper. </div>
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<div>Khaosod journalist Noppakow Kongsuwan told Prachatai that he was at the protest at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Siam Square, on Saturday in his capacity as a journalist. He did not speak or help to organise the event. But he is facing a charge of joining a public assembly within 150 metres of a royal site, a violation of Article 7 of the 2015 Public Assembly Act.
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