Civil Court of Thailand prohibits the use of force against protesters

The Civil Court ruled yesterday that the government has the authority to enforce the emergency decree, but not to use force to break up the PDRC’s “peaceful and unarmed” demonstrations.

The court issued a nine-point order to the government:

1. The defendant (the government) is prohibited from issuing orders to disperse protesters.

2. The defendant is not allowed to seize or impound products sponsoring the plaintiff (the protest group).

3. The defendant cannot search or raze structures at rally sites.

4. The defendant cannot stop protesters from buying or selling products used at rally sites.

5. The defendant cannot close traffic lanes.

6. The defendant is prohibited from making gatherings of more than five people illegal.

7. The defendant cannot issue orders barring people from using transport routes set by the plaintiff.

8. The defendant is not allowed to order protesters not to use facilities in office buildings.

9. The defendant cannot issue orders prohibiting people from entering or leaving protest sites.

The Civil Court’s ruling was sought by Thaworn Senneam, a PDRC core member.