19-year-old protester arrested, denied bail

A 19-year-old protester was arrested last Friday night (24 March) on charges relating to a protest on 21 November 2021 and denied bail.

The 19-year-old was taken from Din Daeng Police Station in a police detention truck (Photo from Paradorn Ketphualk)

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported that the 19-year-old, nicknamed “Hin,” was arrested last Friday night (24 March) and held at Din Daeng Police Station. A TLHR lawyer met Hin on Saturday morning (25 March) and learned that the 19-year-old was arrested on a warrant issued by the Central Juvenile and Family Court for being in possession of an explosive and causing an explosion.

The charges resulted from a protest on 21 November 2021 at Ratchaprarop Road, during which Hin and several other protesters were accused of throwing some small explosives. Another protester charged over the same incident is Thattaphong Khieaokhao who is in detention having been denied bail.

On Saturday evening, the Central Juvenile and Family Court denied Hin’s bail request on the grounds that the charge carries a high penalty and that Hin is likely to flee.

The 19-year-old is now detained at the Bangkok Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre, because the incident took place before Hin turned 18, making Hin the first protester detained pending trail in a juvenile centre.

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