Red shirt 'ringleaders' released on bail as Thailand awaits elections

A THAI court granted bail yesterday to seven anti-government "red shirt" leaders charged with terrorism, their lawyer said, a move that could ease political tensions in the divided country.

The seven had been held since clashes last May between troops and demonstrators across Bangkok and several northern cities. Prosecutors claim the seven were ringleaders.

The move will be seen as a gesture towards the powerful street movement ahead of an election the government plans to hold in the middle of this year, provided there is no civil disturbance.

The Bangkok Criminal Court said the seven men, including alleged core leaders Weng Tojirakarn, Nattawut Saikua and Kwanchai Praipanna, could be released immediately on the condition that they did not leave the country or incite violence.

The mostly urban and rural working-class red shirts have held regular protests in Bangkok in recent months, in defiance of security laws, agitating for their leaders' release. More than 30,000 rallied at the weekend ahead of Tuesday's bail hearing.