Protesters face charges for damaging cop station

Police have confirmed that they will take legal action against a group of demonstrators involved in a violent protest at Samran Rat police station on Wednesday night.

Nine demonstrators have been arrested for allegedly leading around 20 people in spray painting the station in Phra Nakhon district, Pol Maj Gen Nakharin Sukhonthawit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, said yesterday.

The group caused significant damage by breaking a glass door and spraying paint on the walls, passages and stairs of the station, the commander added.

A policeman who tried to contain the situation was hit on the head and required seven stitches, further escalating the violence.

Pol Maj Gen Nakharin said such an incident should not have happened as it damaged state property acquired with taxpayers’ money.

The nine demonstrators have been charged with damaging state property, attacking government officials, and trespassing.

Police will seek a court order for their detention, according to the commander.

The demonstrators claimed they were demanding justice for a 15-year-old demonstrator detained at the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Centre for Girls in Sam Phran district of Nakhon Pathom province. The teenage girl is being prosecuted for an alleged lese majeste offence.

According to Pol Maj Gen Nakharin, police could only follow the law in her case since no guardians showed up to seek her temporary release.