Thai anti-government protesters warned of arrest

Thailand's leading anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and 37 supporters were today warned they would face arrest if they do not acknowledge charges against them, including creating chaos and libelling representatives of foreign countries.
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said it will seek the Criminal Court's approval to arrest and detain Suthep and 37 members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee if they fail to report as summoned.
DSI chief Tarit Pengdit said an arrest warrant for Suthep had already been issued while 37 core protesters have been summoned to acknowledge charges against.
The first group of 17 must report to the DSI on December 26 and 27 and the rest on January 2 and 3, he said.

They have been charged with intimidation to abolish the nation's administrative power, instigating members of the public to violate the law, gathering to create chaos in the country and libelling representatives of foreign countries.
Tarit said the DSI will seek court orders to imprison the leaders without granting bail since they have continued to commit offences.

"If released on bail, they will not stop creating unrest in the country," he said.
Tarit said the protesters will be issued with an added charge of obstructing the judicial process if they lead demonstrators to blockade the DSI office.
Bangkok has witnessed weeks of anti-government protests by supporters of opposition Democrat Party which wants the caretaker premier Yingluck Shinawatra to step down and quit politics.

Yingluck has called for snap polls on February 2.
The Democrat Party, which has not won general elections in two decades, said it will boycott the polls.