Public prosecutors have dropped political gathering charges against six key Pheu Thai and Puea Chat party members because the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) already revoked the ban.
Narinpong Jinapak, a lawyer of the Pheu Thai Party, said on Thursday that the charges were dismissed for Pheu Thai's key member Noppadol Pattama, prime ministerial candidate Chaikasem Nitisiri, secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai, key member Kittirat na Ranong and leader Viroj Pao-in, as well as Puea Chat deputy secretary-general Sakda Nopasit.
Earlier, they were charged with violating the NCPO's order No.3/2015 which banned political gatherings of five or more people. The charges concerned Pheu Thai's press conference to criticise the NCPO on May 17 last year. The ban was lifted by the NCPO's order No. 22/2018.
Mr Narinpong also said that public prosecutors would on June 27 announce their indictment decision on another case in which Chaturon Chaisang, a key member of Pheu Thai at the time, its legal affairs chief Chusak Sirinil and MP candidate Watana Muangsook were charged with sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code allegedly for their speeches at the same press conference.
