Current:Home > FinanceCourt in Thailand acquits protesters who occupied Bangkok airports in 2008-LoTradeCoin
Court in Thailand acquits protesters who occupied Bangkok airports in 2008
View Date:2024-12-23 16:01:42
BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand on Wednesday acquitted more than two dozen protesters who had occupied Bangkok’s two airports in 2008 of charges of rebellion and terrorism related to their demonstration, which at the time disrupted travel in and out of the country for more than a week.
The Bangkok Criminal Court declared that the members of the People’ Alliance for Democracy had neither caused destruction at the airports nor hurt anyone. However, 13 of the 28 defendants were slapped with a 20,000 baht ($560) fine each for violating an emergency decree that had banned public gatherings.
The protesters — popularly known as Yellow Shirts for the color that shows loyalty to the Thai monarchy — had occupied the airports for about 10 days, demanding the resignation of the government, which was loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They had earlier also occupied Thaksin’s office compound for three months and blocked access to Parliament.
Thaksin was ousted by a 2006 military coup that followed large Yellow Shirt protests accusing him of corruption and disrespect to the monarchy.
In 2008, Yellow Shirts stormed Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, shutting down operations and defying an injunction calling for them to leave. The siege ended only after a court ruling forced pro-Thaksin Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat out of office.
Several dozen protesters involved in the demonstrations were divided into two groups of defendants and indicted in 2013. The verdict for the second group is to be delivered in March.
In 2011, the Civil Court ordered the leaders of the group to pay 522 million baht ($14.7 million) in damages to the state airport authority. They were declared bankrupt and had their assets seized last year to pay the sum.
Thaksin came back to Thailand last year to serve an eight-year prison term on several criminal convictions and was right away moved from prison to a state hospital because of reported ill-health. He has remained at the hospital since but his sentence was later reduced to one year, allowing for the possibility he could soon be released on parole.
His return to Thailand came as the Pheu Thai party — the latest incarnation of the party Thaksin led to power in 2001 — won a parliamentary vote to form a new government despite finishing second in elections.
veryGood! (64)
Related
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- Chef Jet Tila Shares What’s in His Kitchen Including a Must-Have That Makes Cleaning Pans So Much Easier
- Sephora 24-Hour Flash Sale: 50% Off Lancôme, StriVectin, Clinique, and More
- See the monster catfish nearly the size of a cargo van that was caught in Italy and may be a world record
- The Best Corduroy Pants Deals from J.Crew Outlet, Old Navy, Levi’s & More, Starting at $26
- Amanda Seyfried Interrogates Tom Holland in First Look at The Crowded Room Thriller
- Khloe Kardashian's Daughter True Thompson Celebrates 5th Birthday Early at Octonauts-Themed Party
- CMT Music Awards 2023 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look as the Stars Arrive
- How Saturday Night Live Reacted to Donald Trump’s Win Over Kamala Harris
- Here's the Truth About Britney Spears and Sam Asghari's Relationship Status
Ranking
- 3 Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib win $42M judgement against defense contractor
- United Nations adopts high seas treaty, the first-ever pact to govern and protect international waters
- Love Is Blind Is Getting Its First-Ever Live Reunion Special: All the Details
- U.K. police say man arrested over apparent triple murder in Nottingham
- Residents urged to shelter in place after apparent explosion at Louisville business
- Herbivore Sale Last Day To Shop: The Top 12 Skincare Deals on Masks, Serums, Moisturizers, and More
- Prince Harry in court: Here's a look at legal battles the Duke of Sussex is fighting against the U.K. press
- Elle Fanning Confirms Breakup With Max Minghella
Recommendation
-
Video shows masked man’s apparent attempt to kidnap child in NYC; suspect arrested
-
H.R. McMaster says relationship with China is worse than Cold War between U.S. and Russia
-
On trip to China, Blinken to raise cases of wrongfully detained Americans with Chinese
-
Novak Djokovic wins French Open, setting the record for men's Grand Slam titles
-
Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
-
Rare Roman mausoleum unearthed at London development site
-
Rare Roman mausoleum unearthed at London development site
-
Former Louisiana police officer accused of shooting unarmed Black man faces second criminal charge