February 12, 2014
At 13:00 hrs. Mr.Tharit Pengdit, Director-General, the Department of Special Investigations, briefed the press on the outcome of the meeting of the Center For Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) earlier in the day, gist as follows:
1. The CMPO has received a report from the Metropolitan Police and Provincial Police regional commands regarding the legal proceedings against the election obstructions. So far, there are 152 cases involving election obstructions, 105 cases involving the failure of electoral officers to perform their duties, and 43 persons already faced arrest warrants.
2. The CMPO has cooperated with several government agencies to enable them to resume their functions after being blockaded by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). 45 government agencies have resumed their functions and are ready to provide public services as normal.
3. The number of protesters at all protest sites on 11th February peaked at 20.00 hrs. with approximately 4,060 people. The CMPO appreciated the public for not joining the demonstrations as well as not providing financial support.
4. The CMPO reaffirmed that it has not revealed the list of individuals and companies that have provided financial support to the protesters. The CMPO has assigned the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) in cooperation with DSI, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Royal Thai Police, and the Revenue Department to take further investigations and legal action.
5. The CMPO has established a working committee chaired by Police Lieutenant General Aree Onchit, Assistant Commissioner, which consists of officials from the police, military, and the Department of Provincial Administration to cooperate with the Election Committee (EC) to carry out the elections in constituencies that were previously unable to hold elections.
6. Following the assault and detention of 2 on-duty police officers by members of PDRC led by Luang Pu Buddha Issara, those officers have been under medical treatment. 26 police officers so far have been assaulted during the demonstrations.
7. Some protesters have occupied the Government House premises, using it as shelter for those with arrest warrants. The protesters have also deployed security guards armed with offensive weapons and built bunkers ready to counter the authorities.
8. Following the video clip showing the search of Mr. Sonthiyarn Chuenruethai-naitham's residence by the police, the CMPO insisted that the clip had been edited. The police undertook the search lawfully. The police had received a report that there were weapons within the premises.