The Appeal Court has upheld the acquittal of three members of the former United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) of a grenade attack that killed five soldiers during the street protests in 2010.
The ruling was read out at the Criminal Court yesterday.
The case was filed by prosecutors and Nicha Hiranburana Tuwatham, the wife of Gen Romklao Tuwatham, then a colonel and one of the five soldiers killed by the grenades.
The suit named Suksek Poltue, Pornkamol Buachatkhao, alias Kanokporn Siripannapirat who was a former show host for Asia Update television, and Surachai Tewarat as the first, second and third defendants.
They were charged with colluding in murder and supporting others to murder people and violating the Firearms and Ammunition Act.
Between Nov 15, 2009 and May 20, 2010, UDD supporters protested violently in the vicinity of Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, demanding the resignation of then-prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
On April 7, 2010 the Abhisit government declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and set up the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation to break up the huge demonstration.
On April 10, 2010, Mr Suksek, Mr Surachai, and others had in their possession three M67 hand grenades provided by Ms Pornkamol.
They allegedly hurled two at soldiers deployed in front of Satree Withaya School on Din So Road to break up the protest.
The explosions killed five soldiers, including Col Romklao, who was posthumously promoted to general.
On Feb 1, 2021, the Criminal Court acquitted the three defendants, ruling the plaintiff’s witness testimony was suspicious.