The Appeal Court on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit against nine leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) over the group's protest against the Samak Sundaravej government in 2008.
Named in the lawsuit were Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somkiat Pongpaibul, Somsak Kosaisuk, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananont, and Therdphum Jaidee.
They were indicted in December 2015 on charges of inciting public chaos and illegal assembly among others when they led the PAD demonstrators to protest at various government agencies during May-October, 2008.
The PAD leaders pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In July 2017, the Criminal Court cleared the first six defendants of the charges saying they were redundant.
However, it found against the three others for illegal assembly but suspended handing down the sentence for two years.
The prosecution appealed against the ruling.
The Appeal Court stood by the lower court's decision, dismissing the charges against the first six defendants on the grounds that the charges brought against the group were redundant.
According to the court, these defendants were found guilty in a case where they were indicted for trespassing on Government House and causing damage to the property in 2008.
The Criminal Court sentenced them to two years in jail while the Appeal Court sentenced them to eight months in jail. They have been released on bail pending a Supreme Court ruling.
As for the charges against the three others, the court disagreed with the lower court and acquitted them of the charges. The court said it found the PAD's demonstrations were peaceful even though they obstructed officials from tearing down tents and stages.
Mr Suriyasai insisted on Wednesday the PAD held peaceful rallies.
