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http://www.bangkokpo...leaders-charged
Kasit, PAD leaders charged
AIRPORT CLOSURE CASE TO GO TO COURT; PROTEST GROUP WILL DENY COUNTS
People's Alliance for Democracy leaders and other key supporters have been charged with aviation law breaches for closing the city's two airports, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi, during their drive to oust the government last year.
Among those charged with closing Suvarnabhumi airport is Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
According to the Manager Online website, 16 people, including PAD leaders Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaibul and Pibhop Dhongchai have been charged with criminal offences in relation to the airport blockades, the most serious carrying the death penalty.
Mr Somsak is now leader of the New Politics Party, the political arm of the PAD
Retired Gen Prathompong Kesornsuk has been charged in relation to blockades at both airports.
Eleven other people have been charged in relation to the Don Mueang airport occupation, and nine face charges in relation to the protest at Suvarnabhumi.
On July 1, Don Muang police and police from Rajathewa station in charge of Suvarnabhumi in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district, asked those facing charges to report to authorities on July 16.
Protesters at Don Mueang airport have been charged with four criminal offences including attempting to instigate unrest despite warnings from authorities.
The severest punishment is seven years in jail.
Demonstrators at Suvarnabhumi have been charged with seven offences including obstructing aviation, which can result in the death penalty if convicted.
Protesters at Suvarnabhumi also face terrorism charges, under Article 135 of the Criminal Code, for damaging relations with other countries. The maximum penalty on that charge is life imprisonment and a 1 million baht fine.
PAD lawyer Suwat Apipak said his clients would deny all charges. "The PAD rally was held in line with the constitution which allows public gatherings. All who face charges will report to authorities in accordance with the summons and will deny all charges," he said.
Mr Kasit, who is in Qatar, could not be reached for comment. He returns to Bangkok today. An official close to him said the minister would not make any decision about his future until charges are filed against him in court.
The closure of the two airports was part of what the PAD called its "final war" against the government led by then prime minister Somchai Wongsawat.
It included the occupation of Government House which forced his cabinet to work elsewhere, including Don Mueang.
The PAD argued Mr Somchai was a proxy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose influence it has tried to expel.
PAD supporters occupied Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports soon after they started a mass rally on Nov 23 last year.
Airports of Thailand, the agency in charge, closed the airports for safety reasons.
The airport closure and all rallies ended on Dec 2 when the Constitution Court disbanded Mr Somchai's People Power Party, and coalition partners Matchimathipataya and Chart Thai for poll fraud. The Bank of Thailand estimates the damage from the airport closure cost the country 210 billion baht.
