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 number of protesters at all protest sites on 13th February peaked at 20.00 hrs. with approximately 5,000 people. Clearly, the number of protesters is continuously decreasing. The CMPO appreciated the public for not joining the demonstrations as well as not providing financial support.

2. This morning at the Government House area, security personnel attempted to arrest PDRC leaders with arrest warrants as well as their security guards.  The procedure was carried out without any violence. The PDRC leaders and their guards were able to flee from the site, however. Security officials found illegal items, including explosive devices, and illegal drugs, on the protest site.

3. Following the Court’s rejection of a request to extend the detention of Mr. Sonthiyarn Chuenruethainaitham, a core PDRC leader, the Royal Thai Police (RTP), the Department of Special Investigations (DSI), and the Attorney General’s Office have decided to file further charges against Mr. Sonthiyarn on 15 February, of insurrection, creating a public disturbance and incitement to break the law. The authorities will seek a warrant for the detention of Mr. Sonthiyarn, not to exceed 12 days at a time, for not more than 7 times, or a total of 84 days.

4. 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 156 cases involving election obstructions, 165 cases involving the failure of electoral officers to perform their duties, and 59 person already faced arrest warrants.

5. A PDRC guard was arrested yesterday wearing riot police uniform. Officials found a sawed-off shotgun, hand gun, handgun bullets and shotgun cartridges on the man.

6. The deadline for Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban to present himself to the public prosecutor on the criminal case involving 98 deaths from the 2010 political confrontations passed yesterday.  Mr. Suthep and former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva were charged jointly in this case. This is the fourth time Mr. Suthep has failed to present himself to the prosecutor, and no further postponement can be made. The Director-General of the Department of Special Litigation will request DSI to bring Mr. Suthep to present to the Court and prosecute him on criminal charges.