Student dissidents unite to march on Bangkok police station

ABOVE: Student activists and their supporters cheer outside the Pathumwan Police Station and display photos they say show abusive treatment of protesters on May 22. Photo : Khaosod English

Student activists who’ve been taunting police in the north of Thailand to arrest them showed up in Bangkok yesterday to turn the tables and prosecute the authorities.

The so-called Dao Din group joined seven Bangkok students also wanted for staging rallies on the coup anniversary to march together onto the Pathumwan Police Station to file charges against security forces for using excessive force.

At that point flummoxed authorities fielded more than 100 police officers to surround the police station and prevent the students from entering to file their complaints, according to Khaosod English.

A stand-off then began for several hours into the evening.

Wednesday was the 83rd anniversary of Thailand’s bloodless revolution that overthrew absolute monarchy in favor of representative democracy.

Elsewhere, three students were detained at the Democracy Monument for laying flowers to commemorate the anniversary and a fourth arrested at Vibhavadi Hospital.

Natchacha Kongudom, 21, had been wanted for the May 22 rally, which violated the junta’s ban on political gatherings of more than five people. Her lawyer said she was expected to soon be released after agreeing not to engage in any political activities.

The students could be punished with up to six months in prison and a THB10,000 fine.