NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Thousands of black-clad "volunteers" of a newly formed pro-government network participated in a massive military-style parade in Nakhon Ratchasima province today.

The parade, part of two-day event organised by the National Volunteers for Defence of Democracy (NVDD), was held at “80th Birthday of His Majesty the King Sport Stadium”in Mueang district.  

The NVDD was founded by several Redshirt leaders, including Suphon Attawong and Kwanchai Praipana, with the stated aim of defending democracy and opposing any attempts to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in an extra-legal way.

Mr. Suphon estimated that approximately 15,000 NVDD members attended today’s parade. The cohorts were organised in 64 columns based on province, with Mr. Suphon standing as the master of ceremony in the middle of the stadium, receiving salutes from each passing column.

A group of monks also chanted blessings and sprayed holy water at the marchers as they passed.

Mr. Suphon said the two-day event was conducted to display the "power of the people" who are willing to fight for democracy and an elected government.

After the parade is over, all members will be dispersed back to their hometowns to wait for notice of further "missions," the NVDD chairman said. One mission is to monitor the Constitutional Court's ruling on Ms. Yingluck, which could result in her removal as caretaker PM.

"If the verdict was delivered without fairness and led to the overthrow of our democracy … or if a coup takes place, we will summon all NVDD members to Bangkok in order to express our support of democracy," Mr. Suphon said. "We are willing to lay down our lives in defence of an elected government." 

A 62-year-old farmer from Nakhon Sawan provionce, who identified herself as Manit, said she decided to join the NVDD with her husband in part because her family has benefited from the government's rice-pledging scheme.

She also said she is deeply angered by the Constitutional Court's decision to invalidate the 2 February election, and that she is ready to fight for justice on Ms. Yingluck's behalf.

"If the NVDD calls for mobilisation, I will come out and fight immediately," Ms. Manit said.

Mr. Pichai, a 67-year-old retired public school teacher, said although he is from Songkhla province—a major stronghold of the anti-government movement—he joined the NVDD with a group of friends because he is opposed to the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and its effort to "overthrow" the elected government.

"So we are rising up to fight for the right thing. I urge all sectors to swiftly organise a new election," said Mr. Pichai, who refused to give his surname.

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BANGKOK — The head of the Democrat Party has insisted that a new election is not a sufficient solution to Thailand's ongoing political crisis, contrary to the government's claims.

"At this moment many think … a smooth, problem-free election is an adequate solution," Abhisit Vejjajiva said at a press conference today. "But that is not the truth."

According to Mr. Abhisit, even if the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra manages to organise a new round of polls—the previous general election on 2 February was invalidated by the Constitutional Court—the public may not accept the election results because of widespread mistrust towards the government.

Mr. Abhisit's comment came the day before a meeting is scheduled to take place between various parties and the Election Commission concerning a future general election. Tomorrow’s meeting will be broadcast live on two government-owned television stations, channels 9 and 11.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has urged the EC to conduct a new election as soon as possible, but  Mr. Abhisit said this will "not answer the country's problems." The Democrat Party boycotted the previous 2 February election.

The head of the opposition party also warned that possible clashes between rival protest groups may lead to a military coup similar to the one that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.

"I want all sides to look at the events of 2006. The date of the election was already set, political parties already began vote canvassing, but it ended in a military coup," Mr. Abhisit told reporters.

He went on, "I hope the discussion on 22 April will not see fights between different parties. The talk should be a discussion about the needs of every side, how to help the country move forward, without violence and coups."

Mr. Abhisit refused to say whether his party will run in the next election, but insisted that the Democrat Party is open to opinions from all sides in tomorrow's forum. 

Commenting on the reports that Mr. Thaksin is willing to "quit politics" for the sake of peace in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said Mr. Thaksin is welcomed to stay in politics as long as he agrees to abide by the rule of laws and transparency.

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BANGKOK — The head of the Democrat Party has insisted that a new election is not a sufficient solution to Thailand's ongoing political crisis, contrary to the government's claims.

"At this moment many think … a smooth, problem-free election is an adequate solution," Abhisit Vejjajiva said at a press conference today. "But that is not the truth."

According to Mr. Abhisit, even if the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra manages to organise a new round of polls—the previous general election on 2 February was invalidated by the Constitutional Court—the public may not accept the election results because of widespread mistrust towards the government.

Mr. Abhisit's comment came the day before a meeting is scheduled to take place between various parties and the Election Commission concerning a future general election. Tomorrow’s meeting will be broadcast live on two government-owned television stations, channels 9 and 11.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has urged the EC to conduct a new election as soon as possible, but  Mr. Abhisit said this will "not answer the country's problems." The Democrat Party boycotted the previous 2 February election.

The head of the opposition party also warned that possible clashes between rival protest groups may lead to a military coup similar to the one that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.

"I want all sides to look at the events of 2006. The date of the election was already set, political parties already began vote canvassing, but it ended in a military coup," Mr. Abhisit told reporters.

He went on, "I hope the discussion on 22 April will not see fights between different parties. The talk should be a discussion about the needs of every side, how to help the country move forward, without violence and coups."

Mr. Abhisit refused to say whether his party will run in the next election, but insisted that the Democrat Party is open to opinions from all sides in tomorrow's forum. 

Commenting on the reports that Mr. Thaksin is willing to "quit politics" for the sake of peace in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said Mr. Thaksin is welcomed to stay in politics as long as he agrees to abide by the rule of laws and transparency.

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BANGKOK — The number of lese majeste accusations has surged in recent weeks, as the political battle in Thailand deepens and both sides of the divide seek ways to take adversaries down.

In an unprecedented case this week, which critics are describing as a “new low,” parents accused their own daughter of lese majeste for posting disparaging remarks towards the monarchy on Facebook and Youtube.

Mr. Surapong Amornpat, 67, and Ms. Somchintra Amornpat, 59, reported their UK-based daughter, Ms. Chatvadee Amornpat, 34, to police after they were reportedly harassed by others because of her online comments.

Ms. Chatvadee has been living in the UK for many years and recently acquired British citizenship.

“It is a dismal and alarming sign of what the lese majeste situation has become when parents turn in their own children,” said David Streckfuss, an independent scholar and expert on Thailand’s strict anti-defamation laws.

Under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, those found guilty of lese majeste can face up to 15 years in prison.

In addition, Article 112 states that any individual can file an accusation with the police, which critics of the law say encourages "witch hunt" behavior.

This week, a former army commander set up a Facebook group urging Thai citizens to stay vigilant in their duty to "defend the monarchy" and report any cases of lese majeste to the police. 

Gen.Lt. Rianthong Nanna, the creator of the group and also the current director of Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, referred to his activity as a way to "cleanse trash from the kingdom." 

According to Mr. Streckfuss, over the past decade it has been typical to see a heightened use of less majeste accusations during periods of political turmoil.

In 2010, during Thailand’s most recent instance of political unrest prior to the current conflict, the number of lese majeste charges sent to Court climbed up to nearly 500, which is more than twice that of the previous few years. 

Earlier this month, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s legal representative, Robert Amsterdam, was also accused of defaming the monarchy in a Skype call he made to a Redshirt rally on 6 April in Nakhon Prathom province.

Like Ms. Chatvadee, Mr. Amsterdam lives outside of Thailand, illustrating how lese majeste laws continue to be invoked even against those who reside outside of the country. 

Thailand’s Council of Lawyers accused Mr. Amsterdam of insulting the monarchy because of comments he made urging the government to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Mr. Amsterdam never directly mentioned the Royal Family.  

A third case from April concerns Redshirt leader Wuthipong Kachathamkul, widely known as “Ko Tee.” Police issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Wuthipong after he allegedly insulted the monarch in an interview with the Canadian news organisation, Vice News.  

Mr. Wuthipong has not appeared in public since his arrest warrant was announced several weeks ago.

This week, Redshirt activists in Chiang Mai attempted to turn the tables by pressing charges of lese majeste against the leader of the anti-government movement, Suthep Thaugsuban.

The Redshirt group alleged that Mr. Suthep defamed the Royal Family when he cited his intention to seek His Majesty the King’s approval as part of a plan to oust the caretaker government.

The police have documented the charges, but it is not immediately clear whether authorities will take legal action against Mr. Suthep.

Though the number of lese majeste accusations is on the rise, this week also saw a rare instance of exoneration.

On Thursday, the Criminal Court acquitted a 65-year-old man who was arrested for selling a banned book, The Devil’s Discus, at Yellow shirt rallies in 2006. 

The defendant said he had never read the book, and did not realise it contained material offensive to the Thai Royalty.

Numerous sources estimate the conviction rate for cases of lese majeste in Thailand to be over 90 percent. 

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BANGKOK — The number of lese majeste accusations has surged in recent weeks, as the political battle in Thailand deepens and both sides of the divide seek ways to take adversaries down.

In an unprecedented case this week, which critics are describing as a “new low,” parents accused their daughter of lese majeste for criticizing the monarchy on Facebook and Youtube.

Surapong and Somchintra Amornpat reported their UK-based daughter, 34-year-old Chatvadee Amornpat, to police after they were reportedly harassed by others because of her online comments.

Chatvadee has been living in the UK for many years and recently acquired British citizenship.

“It is a dismal and alarming sign of what the lese majeste situation has become when parents turn in their own children,” said David Streckfuss, an independent scholar and expert on Thailand’s strict anti-defamation laws.

Under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, those found guilty of lese majeste can face up to 15 years in prison.

In addition, Article 112 states that any individual can file an accusation with the police, which critics of the law say encourages "witch hunt" behavior.

This week, a former army commander set up a Facebook group urging Thai citizens to stay vigilant in their duty to "defend the monarchy" and report any cases of lese majeste to the police. 

Gen.Lt. Rianthong Nanna, the creator of the group and also the current director of Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, referred to his activity as a way to "cleanse trash from the kingdom." 

According to Streckfuss, it has been typical to see a rise in less majeste accusations during periods of political turmoil over the past decade.

In 2010, during Thailand’s most recent instance of political unrest prior to the current conflict, the number of lese majeste charges sent to Court climbed up to nearly 500, which is more than twice that of the previous few years. 

Earlier this month, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s legal representative, Robert Amsterdam, was also accused of defaming the monarchy in a Skype call he made to a Redshirt rally on 6 April in Nakhon Prathom province.

Like Chatvadee, Amsterdam lives outside of Thailand, illustrating how lese majeste laws continue to be invoked even against those who reside in foreign countries. 

Thailand’s Council of Lawyers accused Amsterdam of insulting the monarchy because of comments he made urging the government to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Amsterdam never directly mentioned the Royal Family.  

A third case from April concerns Redshirt leader Wuthipong Kachathamkul, widely known as “Ko Tee.” Police issued an arrest warrant for Wuthipong after he allegedly insulted the monarch in an interview with the Vice News.  

Wuthipong has not appeared in public since his arrest warrant was announced several weeks ago.

This week, Redshirt activists in Chiang Mai attempted to turn the tables by pressing charges of lese majeste against the leader of the anti-government movement, Suthep Thaugsuban.

The Redshirt group alleged that Suthep defamed the Royal Family when he cited his intention to seek His Majesty the King’s approval as part of a plan to oust the caretaker government.

The police have documented the charges, but it is not immediately clear whether authorities will take legal action against Suthep.

Though the number of lese majeste accusations is on the rise, this week also saw a rare instance of exoneration.

On Thursday, the Criminal Court acquitted a 65-year-old man who was arrested for selling a banned book, The Devil’s Discus, at Yellow shirt rallies in 2006. 

The defendant said he had never read the book, and did not realise it contained material offensive to the Thai Royalty.

Experts estimate the conviction rate for cases of lese majeste in Thailand to be over 90 percent. 

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BANGKOK — Redshirt leader Jatupon Prompan and his deputy Nattawut Saikua have thanked the Criminal Court for dismissing the request to have their bails revoked.

Former Democrat MP Satit Pitutacha had requested the court revoke the bail release of Mr. Jatupon and Mr. Nattawut, who are currently facing charges for the Redshirt protests in 2010, on the grounds that both men have urged supporters to commit violence and other illegal actions in recent months.

But the court denied Mr. Satit's request in a ruling yesterday, which neither Mr. Jatupon nor Mr. Nattawut attended; lawyers representing both activists said they were ill. 

The court nevertheless warned Mr. Jatupon and Mr. Nattawut to exercise caution and refrain from making hateful speeches at future rallies.

Shortly after the court decision was announced, Mr. Jatupon and Mr. Nattawut—who did not seem to be visibly afflicted by any illness—appeared at a press conference of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to express their thanks to the judges. 

Mr. Jatupon, who is serving as the chairman of the UDD, added that he believes the court's advice for caution concerning his future speeches is not necessary because the UDD has always been committed to struggles in a non-violent manner.

"No matter how bitter we are, we are always certain we will win in the end, and we believe that wars cannot be ended by wars," Mr. Jatupon said. "They can only be ended by peace."

The UDD chairman also told the crowd of supporters that his team has already surveyed the area around Aksa Avenue in Nakhon Pathom province as a preparation for the next mass rally in which Redshirts will show their support for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. 

The UDD had previously scheduled the rally on 18 April but called off the event at last minute, citing fears of possible clashes with rival protesters.

"I ask all of you to wait for the signal of mobilisation," Mr. Jatupon said. 

Mr. Nattawut said he was greatly relieved by the court's decision. "I have listened to news from many directions, and I was sure I would have my bail revoked," Mr. Nattawut said at the press conference. 

The activist insisted that he is determined to continue the "fight to overthrow the tyrannical movements which are bent on destroying this country's democracy."

"I also would like to remind Mr. Suthep of his promise that if the Redshirt rally has more people than the fully mobilised PCAD, he will roll up his mat and go home," Mr. Nattawut said, referring to Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State. "When that day comes, I would like to see Mr. Suthep stick to his words."

Meanwhile, Ms. Thida Thawornseth, chief adviser to the UDD, urged the Election Commission to organise a new general election as soon as possible, stating that the country has suffered grave instability due to the lack of a functioning government.

"[An election] is the best way to solve the conflict," Ms. Thida said. "If all of us still want to find a solution, this must be the solution. Any other solution, such as an unelected Prime Minister or an unelected Parliament, will only lead the country to disaster.”

Ms. Thida continued, "Therefore, all brothers and sisters must ready themselves, because the situation can change at any time … we have a firm resolution not to let this country taking a step backward.”

The Constitutional Court invalidated the 2 February general election on the grounds that voting was not conducted on the same day across the country. The verdict has led many Redshirt activists to accuse the court of conspiring with anti-government protesters in their bid to oust Ms. Yingluck's government. 

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