10 September 2007: At Bangkok Remand Prison, Mr. Sombat Boon-ngam-anong told Prachatai that he would tender bail today and expected to be discharged from prison on the same day. He explained that since his detention did not have as wide an impact in society as he had expected, he decided to get out and launch campaigns to lift martial law. Also, staying in prison kept his friends and colleagues worried and that has affected the leadership of the anti-coup movement. Nevertheless, he admitted it was difficult to reach this decision and he had to argue a lot with himself whether to bail himself out or not. He has gained a lot of experience from staying in prison and found many convicts are marginalized people who need support to gain access to fair judicial process.

"It's time for me (to come out) and it has been proven that I have not been deterred by this second detention, after the first one in Chiang Rai. I am happy to play the game they set up to hold me in custody. I don't care if they did it just to disrupt our activities or whatever. But it has been proven that the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) does not rely on individuals for its campaign, and is strongly rooted in the mass. Their activities shall continue despite all the hurdles" said Sombat.

After his release, Sombat said he has two things to do. First, he will organize activities in areas under martial law, particularly in the North and Northeast. Bangkok people might not feel the pinch from martial law. He will also request details of the votes in each referendum unit. So far, the Election Commission of Thailand has simply released voting figures at the provincial level.

He added that libel is a criminal offence and withdrawal of the case has to be made with the defendant's consent. He has the right to oppose withdrawal of the case filed by Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr and Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin. He wants the two plaintiffs to stand in court to tell him whether or not he has the right to oppose the coup, and whether or not the libel case was justified. He maintained that he would not file a countersuit against the two generals.

Translated by Pipob Udomittipong