A senior figure at the Justice Ministry has defended the arrest of 15 pro-democracy demonstrators and insists their detention is within the law.
Pitikan Sithidej was responding to human rights agencies' statements calling for the immediate release of the activists from the group known as People Who Want Election.
Ms Pitikan, the Justice Ministry's Department of Rights and Liberties Protection director-general, said the case has entered criminal justice process and charges pressed against the protesters corresponded to what was stated in the law.
"The police had to abide by law because if they could not contain the demonstration, Thailand will become a failed state," Ms Pitikan said.
Further justifying the police action, Ms Pitikan said the action of the police did not violate any human rights. She said she understands that each group who came out to express their stances did so in accordance with the roles and responsibilities of their organisations.
However, Ms Pitikan added that any demonstration or any action has to respect the rights and laws of the country one is in.
The director-general said prior to the demonstration, the group had already filed for court permission, but the court rejected their request.
She said to coexist in a society, everybody needs to respect the rights of the society and know how to coexist with respect of human rights, adding this fact needs to be realised by all sides.
"The group has already exercised their rights, but when they broke the law, they have to be prosecuted accordingly," she said.
The comment came after many parties including international organisations such as the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), South-East Asia Regional Office, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International on Tuesday called for the release of the protest leaders.
The detained protest leaders have been charged with violating Section 116 of the Criminal Code for sedition; violating Section 215 of the Criminal Code which involves a gathering of 10 people and more to make threats or commit acts of violence to cause disturbances in the country; and the National Council for Peace and Order chief's order 3/2015, which bans political gatherings of five or more people.
Among the 15 pro-democracy activists being held at Din Dang and Phaya Thai police stations in Bangkok are leaders Rangsiman Rome, Sirawith Seritiwat, Piyarat Chongthep, Wiset Sangwitsit, Nuttaa Mahattana, Arnon Nampa, and Ekachai Hongkangwan.
They remained detained at the police stations as the officers said they had not finished investigating them. However, the officers would seek the Criminal Court's permission for further detention at 10am today.
The Democracy Restoration Group, whose leader is Mr Rangsiman, Wednesday called on supporters to gather at Din Daeng police station in the evening to give him moral support.
Veteran Pheu Thai Politician Sudarat Keyuraphan, via her Facebook account, also called for the unconditional release of the protest leaders, saying the release will foster an atmosphere of reconciliation in Thai society.
"They were just exercising their constitutional rights. Pressing charges against them will do nobody any good but will instead create discord in the society," she said.
The Pro-Democracy march on Monday saw about 2,000 demonstrators gathering at Thammasat University. While most of them were blocked from leaving the university premise to the Government House, about 200 protestors managed to reached Makawan Rangsan Bridge near Government House before being stopped by police.
