Thai Red Shirts to rally regardless of bail rulings

The Red Shirts will still stage a mass rally on Sunday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

THAILAND - THE Red Shirts will still stage a mass rally on Sunday regardless of Tuesday's bail review for detained protesters and the court ban on public assembly for Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan, leaders said on Monday.

'Rally organisers will meet tomorrow to map out activities,' Thida Thawornseth said.

Mr Jatuporn said Mr Thida was in charge of coordinating various factions within the movement. He said he was appealing the bail condition banning him from appearing at public gatherings, but the ruling may not come before Sunday's rally.

He said Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban had no justification in warning Thaksin Shinawatra against inciting unrest, as the fugitive ex-prime minister no longer had any involvement with the Red Shirts.

The seven Red-Shirt leaders will submit bail applications this afternoon, but the outcome was up to the court's judgement, Mr Thida said.

Tharit Pengdit, head of the Department of Special Investigation, said prosecutors would not object to requests for temporary release by weng Tojirakarn and Kokaew Pikulthong. -- THE NATION/ANN