BANGKOK — There was not enough evidence to determine whether police were responsible for the death of a demonstrator who joined an anti-election protest in Bangkok last December, a criminal court in Thailand said today.

Wasu Suchanthabutr, 30, was shot during clashes between police and anti-government protesters on 26 December 2013. The protesters, led by the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), were besieging a sports stadium in Bangkok's Din Dang district in an effort to disrupt election registration procedures that were taking place inside. 

Wasu’s mother, Thipapha Suchantabutr, speaking to reporters outside of the court house on 3o April 2015.

Wasu was shot in the stomach and died in a hospital the next day. PCAD supporters accused police of using shooting Wasu, but police say officers were only carrying tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons with them on that day. A police officer was also shot and killed during the clash.

Today the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court in Bangkok said there was not enough evidence to determine who is responsible for Wasu's death.

Wasu’s mother, Thipapha Suchantabutr, told reporters that she respected the court’s decision, but urged police to continue investigating the incident.

"If anyone has a clue that leads to arrest of the perpetrator, my family will hand that person one million baht as a reward," Thipapha said. 

The PCAD was the latest reincarnation of the Yellowshirts, a movement opposed to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his political allies. Thaksin was ousted in a coup following Yellowshirt protests in 2006, and has lived in self-imposed exile to avoid a corruption conviction.

The PCAD was formed in 2013 after the government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, attempted to pass an amnesty bill that would have allowed for Thaksin’s return to Thailand.

The Yellowshirts, who largely consist of urban Bangkokians and conservatives, view Thaksin as a corrupt politician who has courted Thailand’s rural masses strictly for personal gain.

Yingluck responded to the PCAD's street protests by dissolving the House and organizing a snap election in February 2014. However, protesters boycotted the poll and demanded the government be replaced by an unelected "people's council" to implement national reforms before a new election.

The Constitutional Court later nullified the February 2014 election because the poll did not take place on the same day throughout the Kingdom after the PCAD successfully disrupted voting in some southern provinces and parts of Bangkok. 

The protests continued until the military staged a coup d'etat against the government on 22 May 2014. 

In a separate court inquest announced today, another court in Bangkok also ruled that there was insufficient evidence to determine who killed one foreign journalist and two Redshirt demonstrators during a military crackdown on protesters in 2010. 

BANGKOK — Redshirt activists have asked junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha to overturn a state agency’s decision to revoke the license of a Redshirt-operated TV channel.

Thanawut Wichaidith, spokesperson of the Redshirts' official organization, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), led a group of activists to submit the letter to Gen. Prayuth, who is also Prime Minister, at the government’s complaint center this morning. An official received the letter on Gen. Prayuth's behalf.

UDD spokesperson Thanawut Wichaidith (center) and other Redshirt activists carry a letter of complaint to the government house in Bangkok, 30 April 2015.

The letter was protesting the National Broadcasting Telecommunication Commission’s (NBTC) decision earlier this week to revoke the license of Peace TV, a channel operated by the UDD.

Officials said the station violated junta orders that forbid the media from inciting unrest, causing "divisions in the Kingdom," or mobilizing an opposition movement. The NBTC has not publicly commented on what specific content aired on Peace TV violated these orders.

The agency has also yet to formally deliver the order requiring Peace TV to cease operations. 

Speaking to reporters today, Thanawut said Gen. Prayuth should use his power to convince the NBTC to reverse the ruling.

"On 29 April, the Prime Minister said during a conference with Thai diplomats from around the world that he will stick to democratic principles. But if Thai people are still being blindfolded like this, I don't think it is democracy."

Arunothai Siributr, an anchorwoman at Peace TV, said the station is one of few outlets that airs pro-democracy views. Since seizing power, the junta has severely curbed freedom of expression in an effort to silence critics of its reform process. 

Critics say the junta is particularly bent on curbing the influence of the Redshirt movement, which supported the government toppled in the coup. 

"Right now, Thailand is moving toward reconciliation, and Peace TV is one of the channels for democracy fighters to air their opinions, and say what they think about the constitution," Arunothai said, referring to the new charter being drafted by a junta-appointed committeee. "We want our channel to reflect opinions in a constructive way."

Last night, soldiers and police officers stormed the headquarters of Peace TV in Bangkok and ordered technicians to stop broadcasting a videotaped interview with former Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. Chavalit, a retired military commander, is considered an ally of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of the Redshirt movement. 

Gen. Udomdet Sitabutr, chief of the Royal Thai Army, said he ordered the raid to prevent a potential violation of the laws. He said the military did not find any wrongdoing during the visit. 

Asked whether Gen. Chavalit will be summoned for attitude adjustment, Gen. Udomdet replied, "I think we understand each other already. I listened to his interview, and I think he will not do anything [wrong]. Furthermore, he's also a former commander in the armed forces. Everyone respects him and treats him with dignity. I don't think there will be any problem."

Both of Thailand’s Redshirt and Yellowshirt movements operate their own TV and radio channels featuring news programs and live broadcasts of political rallies. Media agencies affiliated with the two groups played significant roles in the pro- and anti-government rallies last year that culminated in the May 2014 coup.

Two days before seizing power, Gen. Prayuth unilaterally imposed martial law and ordered all partisan media agencies to shut down. The news outlets, which included both Redshirt and Yellowshirt stations, were later allowed to resume operations under conditions that they change the names of their stations and adhere to the junta's guidelines. 

BANGKOK — A core leader of the Redshirt movement said he may submit a royal petition to the Thai King as a last resort to protest the shutdown of a Redshirt-operated TV station.

Thailand's National Broadcasting Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) ruled to revoke the license of Peace TV on 27 April. According to NBTC member Natee Sukonrat, the channel's news coverage violated the junta's Order No. 97, which forbids media from fomenting violence or causing "divisions in the Kingdom." 

Peace TV, which is operated by the largely anti-coup Redshirt movement, often featured core Redshirt leaders like Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikua, and Thida Thawornseth.

Jatuporn told reporters today that he will submit a letter to junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha tomorrow, urging him to overrule the NBTC's order.

If all efforts fail, Jatuporn said he will write a royal petition to His Majesty the King to ask for fairness in the case. "It will be the last thing we will do," the Redshirt leader said, adding that he will also seek legal action against the NBTC.

All petitions submitted to King Bhumibol are screened by the Royal Household Bureau. His Majesty is not obliged to respond to every petition the palace receives. 

Since staging a coup against a Redshirt-backed government on 22 May 2014, Gen. Prayuth has repeatedly cautioned the media against criticizing his administration. Asked to comment on the shutdown of Peace TV yesterday, he said, "Go ask NBTC. I don't know. I have assigned them to look into it."

"I have said already, if you don't cooperate, you will be in trouble," he continued. "So, blame your own boss. The editors, the publishing house owners. Don't blame me."

Speaking to reporters today, Jatuporn warned that a continued suppression of media freedom may lead to further political conflicts. 

"I think it's unfair. The NBTC has wrongly analyzed the contents [of our channel]," Jatuporn said, "It will not benefit the situation of the country. Whoever plotted this plan is drawing a new round of war to our country. It will lead to problems." 

Both of Thailand’s Redshirt and Yellowshirt movements operate their own TV and radio channels featuring news programs and live broadcasts of their political rallies. Media agencies affiliated with the two groups played significant roles in the pro- and anti-government rallies last year that culminated in the May 2014 coup.

On 20 May 2014, then-army chief Gen. Prayuth unilaterally imposed martial law and ordered all partisan media agencies to shut down. The media outlets were later allowed to resume operations under the conditions that they change the names of their stations and adhere to the junta's guidelines. 

Critics say the junta is particularly bent on curbing the influence of the Redshirt movement, which has commanded the polls and elected majorities in congress in every national election for the past decade. 

Yesterday, Supan Rakchuea, director of rights and freedom department of the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA), urged the NBTC to revise its ruling and consider other options for punishing Peace TV.

"The NBTC should strictly stick to its procedures, otherwise NBTC may be questioned whether it is being selective," Supan said in a statement. "As for Peace TV station, they must also bear in mind that although media has freedom, but that freedom must come with responsibility, especially in the time that Thailand needs understanding that will lead to reforms and reconciliation."