Thailand: 19 red shirt leaders accused of violating ban on gatherings
Nineteen leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD ), also known as the red shirts, were accused of violating the ban on public gatherings.
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According to the representative lawyer of the UDD, Winyat Chatmoontree, at a police station in Bangkok red shirt leaders were accused of violating the ban over more-than-five-people gatherings.
The accusation was made after the UDD tried to put anti-fraud centres into operation. The red shirt leaders were released while awaiting trial. If found guilty, they could be sentenced one year in jail.
Earlier on March 29, Thailand’s Constitution Draft Commission announced the new draft constitution, which is expected to be the solution to a decade-long political crisis.
According to the plan, the 105-page draft with 279 clauses will be put to public referendum on August 7.
Thailand’s Election Commission issued regulations, which took effect on May 2, on the referendum, including prohibiting the distortion of the referendum’s contents , holding meetings intended for political disturbance , or carrying out campaigns influencing the referendum.
If the draft constitution is passed in the referendum, a general election will be held in July, 2017 as pledged by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.
