Three anti-junta activists who staged a March 4 rally calling for new elections in Thailand met with Pattaya police to acknowledge charges of holding an illegal demonstration.
Sirawit “Ja New” Serithiwat, a core member of the New Democracy Group, and rally speakers Wanchaloem Khunsaen and Chidapha Thanahatthachai met with Pattaya’s police chief, Pol. Col. Apichai Kroppech March 19.
The trio, which staged the “on tour” rally under Sirawit’s Start-Up People movement, was charged with violating a National Council for Peace and Order directive against political gatherings of more than five people and failing to obtain permission for a rally.
All three denied the charges with Sirawit insisting he did notify Pattaya police of the gathering by telephone March 3.
Between 50 and 100 people gathered outside Central Festival Pattaya Beach for the rally before it was blocked off by police and ended by authorities.
The trio faces fines of to 10,000 baht and six months in jail. They were released pending their appearance at Pattaya Provincial Court March 28.
