APSN | Arrest warrants issued for Thailand protest leaders as Pheu Thai, Democrat parties take court action over election

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Arrest warrants issued for Thailand protest leaders as Pheu Thai, Democrat parties take court action over election

ABC Radio Australia - February 6, 2014

Thai opposition challenges poll in court as protest numbers dwindle - Reuters. February 4, 2014
The 2nd February election in Thailand has solved nothing - Red Thai Socialist. February 3, 2014
With election disrupted, Thai protestors regroup and refocus - Irrawaddy. February 3, 2014
Impoverished northern Thailand will erupt if Shinawatra deposed by courts or military - Sydney Morning Herald. February 2, 2014
Bangkok gunmen appeared to be military trained - Sydney Morning Herald. February 2, 2014

Norman Hermant, Bangkok – Thailand's criminal court has issued arrest warrants for 19 anti-government protest leaders, as the country's political turmoil continues.

Warrants were issued to arrest 19 leaders of the anti-government protest movement that has shutdown parts of Bangkok for more than three weeks. All are charged with violating the emergency decree now in place in and around the Thai capital.

It's not expected that police will move anytime soon to carry out the arrests, as many predict that could only enflame tensions further. Protesters are still occupying parts of Bangkok, four days after the country's disputed general election.

The battle for political control has also moved back into the courts, with the governing Pheu Thai party asking the election commission to dissolve the country's biggest opposition party, the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party is accused of cooperating with anti-government protesters to disrupt last Sunday's general election.

For its part, the Democrats have brought a similar complaint to the constitutional court, demanding the Pheu Thai party be dissolved for pushing ahead with the ballot, despite a recommendation from the election commission to delay the vote. Polling disruptions have prevented any final results from being released.