Red-shirt core member surrenders

BANGKOK, December 7 (TNA) - Arisman Pongruangrong, a hardcore member of Thailand's red-clad National United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), reported himself to authorities at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Wednesday morning to face terrorism charges connected to the country's political violence last year. The former pop Thai singer told reporters that he is confident of the justice system for the time being and has decided to surrender, saying that he will complain with the Bangkok-based Constitution Court against five serious charges against him. DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit received Arisman by himself, amid a large group of red-shirt supporters, noting that DSI has sent Arisman's case to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG); so, the public prosecution will decide on a 1.2 million-baht bail requested by the fugitive red-shirt for his temporary release pending a judicial final verdict. Meanwhile, UDD chairwoman Thida Thawornseth insisted that the national reconciliation will depend on three conditions, including uncovering the truth behind last year's political violence, bringing culprits to justice and guaranteeing for no repeat of any bloody political crackdown; while Suriyasai Katasila, a core member of the opposition yellow-camp, said that the yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will welcome reconciliation only after uncovering the truth and bringing into justice those responsible for triggering political violence and violating legal and constitutional provisions over the past five years. (TNA)