Freeze on Thai protesters' bank accounts lifted

Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has lifted the freeze on the bank accounts of 38 core members of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee, as well as three other related accounts, local media reported Tuesday. The government-run Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) will continue to watch these accounts as the 38 people are wanted under arrest warrants, DSI chief Tarit Pengdith, also member of the CMPO, was quoted by Bangkok Post as saying. The DSI started to freeze bank accounts of protest leaders in December last year. The lifting was made following the Civil Court's earlier ruling that banned the CMPO from taking harsh action against protesters, Tarit said. The court on Feb. 19 ruled that the emergency decree imposed in Bangkok and adjacent areas could not be used as a reason to crack down on protests. It also banned the use of force against protesters, citing that demonstrations have so far been peaceful. The court verdict has disrupted the peacekeeping operations of the CMPO, which has suspended its attempts to retake rally sites, Tarit said. He added the CMPO would appeal against the verdict to seek more power in dealing with protesters.