Ja New's mum free on bail

The Military Court late Sunday granted bail to alleged anti-coup protester and lese majeste suspect Patnaree Charnkij, hours after it had approved a police request to detain her for 12 days.

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Court frees Ja New's mum amid human rights pressure

The Military Court late Sunday granted bail to alleged anti-coup protester and lese majeste suspect Patnaree Charnkij, hours after it had approved a police request to detain her for 12 days.

The release of Ms Patnaree, mother of Resistance Citizen group leader Sirawith "Ja New" Seritiwat, came amid pressure on a Thai delegation set to defend the country's human rights records in Geneva on Wednesday.

Ms Patnaree was escorted early Sunday morning from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to the Military Court where police asked for permission to detain her until May 19 for further questioning. She was then taken to Bangkok Women's Correctional Institution for detention.

However, the suspect's legal team led by Pavinee Choomsri submitted a bail request with a 500,000-baht surety on the grounds that Ms Patnaree posed no flight risk and she turned herself in to police.

The Military Court agreed to release the suspect on bail on condition that she shall not travel abroad, join any political activity or engage in acts that may lead to public disorder.

An emotional Ms Patnaree is comforted by a relative after her release.

Mr Sirawith, who turned up at the court to provide moral support to his mother, slammed the regime over the legal moves against her, saying it was holding his mother hostage. He said he was confident his mother did nothing wrong and did not break any law.

The activist said he was not deterred by the military's move and would continue to fight for his cause.

Anti-coup activists under the New Democracy Movement held an event at Thammasat University's Tha Phrachan campus to criticise the regime over its legal moves against critics.

Mr Sirawith was expected to join the event.

Titled "Making fun is not a crime", the event involved the regime's decision to take action against eight Facebook users who were arrested and charged with inciting public unrest and breaching the Computer Crime Act.

Gen Thawip Netniyom, secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), warned the activists Sunday not to break the law or the regime's orders, saying they could face legal action.

He also criticised attempts to bring in international organisations to put pressure on the government, saying the charges against the suspects including Ms Patnaree were based on evidence.

Gen Thawip also suggested foreign groups study Thai laws to understand the fact that authorities were only enforcing the law.

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