BANGKOK – The Criminal Court on Tuesday handed down prison sentences to 11 former “red shirt” protesters for their roles in the 2010 anti-government demonstrations, a prolonged period of political unrest that ended in a deadly military crackdown. The defendants were convicted of violating emergency regulations imposed during the protests, which sought to overthrow the government of then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Red Shirt Co-Leaders Jailed for Violent Protest in 2007

Five protest leaders, including prominent figures Jatuporn Prompan, Weerakarn Musikapong, Nattawut Saikuar, Dr. Weng Tojirakarn, and Adisorn Piangket, were sentenced to four years and four months in imprisonment. Six other defendants received four-month sentences, while two were acquitted. Originally involving 13 individuals, the case saw one defendant pass away and another flee abroad.

All 11 convicted individuals were granted bail pending appeal. The five leaders were released on 200,000 baht surety each and barred from leaving the country, while the others were granted bail at 50,000 baht each. Jatuporn Prompan, who has since become a vocal critic of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, stated, “We respect the court’s verdict,” and confirmed that appeals are being prepared.

The sentences followed a reduction from an initial six-year term due to the defendants’ partial cooperation during court proceedings. The 2010 protests saw tens of thousands of red-shirted demonstrators occupy key intersections in Bangkok, leading to a two-month shutdown of government operations. The standoff ended when military forces used live ammunition to clear protest sites, resulting in at least 90 fatalities and over 2,000 injuries according to Human Rights Watch.

Court Dismisses Case against Red Shirt Demonstrators

In a related legal aftermath, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban were acquitted of murder charges linked to the crackdown, while former Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdit was later sentenced to two years for malfeasance. Thaksin Shinawatra, whose political influence underpinned the red shirt movement, returned to Thailand in 2023 and is currently serving a one-year prison term after the Supreme Court ruled his original sentence had not been properly enforced.

-Thailand News (TN)