Thai police crack down on protest leaders

The arrest further heightens tensions in Thailand’s three-month-old political conflict in which protesters seeking to overthrow prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra have shut down major intersections across Bangkok. Government officials have been threatening for weeks to arrest protest leaders.

Police arrested Sonthiyarn Cheunruethainaitham, the former managing director of news company Tnews, known for its anti-government views, said Department of Special Investigation’s director-general Tharit Pengdit.

He described Sonthiyarn as “a chief-of-staff” for the movement and “second most important figure” after protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

“We will continue arresting more protest leaders who have violated the law in the same way,” Mr Tharit said.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 19 leaders of the anti-government protests and authorities today were seeking the court’s approval for 13 other leaders.

The arrest happened just hours after six street cleaners were injured – two seriously – by a small explosion at a protest site in Bangkok. At least 10 people have been killed and scores taken to hospital during the political upheaval.

The demonstrators mostly draw their support from the urban middle and upper class and supporters of previous military regimes frustrated by their inability to win overall control in an election against the more populist prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who they accuse of corruption. They want to replace the government with a “people’s council”.

She has refused to resign, arguing she was elected by a large majority and is open to reform, but that such a council would be unconstitutional and undemocratic.

Her government invoked the emergency decree last month following increasing attacks at protest sites prior to the February 2 general election.