Police arrested activists who tried to establish a camp close to the Democracy Monument on 13 October, a day prior to the appointed date for a big anti-dictatorship protest. 13 October is also the anniversary of the death of King Rama IX. Some were reportedly hurt by the police.

A scene during the clash on 13 October while 21 activists were being arrested.

As of 13.15 of 14 October, the activists are being taken to court for a temporary detention order. 19 are being taken to Dusit Court, Jatupat ‘Pai’ Boonpattraraksa, an activist from Khon Kaen, is being taken to the Criminal Court while another is being taken to the Juvenile Court.

Chaiamorn ‘Ammy’ Kaewwiboonpan, a leading singer of the pop band The Bottom Blues is among the arrested. 

The activists were first taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarters in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani. They were there all night to hear the charges filed by the police. They were charged among other things with causing traffic jams, committing public untidiness and harassing police authorities, and face 8 charges in total, all of which are misdemeanours.

The arrests took place when a number of protesters had gathered at the Democracy Monument in anticipation of the mass protest on 14 October.  The arrested were forcibly taken away by the police.

A minor clash between protesters and police officers occurred when protest leaders were seized in the middle of making speeches. The activist group Free Youth said on their Facebook page that officers said that this was in preparation for a royal procession.

Ammy later posted on his Facebook page that it is unclear where the group was being taken to, but that he would like everyone to come out to the protest tomorrow.

Thai PBS reported that the officers told the protesters to move up onto the footpath so that personnel from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration could clean the street, but refused to tell the remaining protest leaders where those arrested were taken to, except that they were being taken to a safe place.

At 17.30, human rights lawyer Anon Nampa announced on Twitter that there will be an urgent demonstration at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre (BACC) at 18.00 following the protesters' arrest.

Parit Chiwarak

Student activist Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak arrived at the skywalk next to BACC ahead of the demonstration at 18.00. Protesters gathered on the skywalk and then marched to the National Thai Police Headquarters to demand the release of those arrested.

The crowd continued to gather in front of the police headquarters and on the skywalk above until 20.45, shouting "Free our friends" and taking a moment of silence for victims of state violence.

Protesters raising 3 fingers above the National Thai Police Headquarters.

Protesters also splashed paint onto the sign of the police headquarters in a symbolic act of protest.