"Ten Nattawut" and "Nam Jiraphorn" welcomed the release of "Nisit Sindhuprap" and "Tae Moddaeng" today, as they qualified under the Social Peace Promotion Act. It was also revealed that "Dr. Wallop" lost his refugee status, while "Wanchana Kerddee" is awaiting his return home.,
At 18:31 on 28 September 2026, Mr. Nattawut Saiykuer, former leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the Red Shirts, posted a message onhis personal Facebook page.He stated that the Social Peace Promotion Act came into effect on 24 August, with enforcement starting 26 August. The legal team submitted petitions for the release of Mr. Nisit Sindhuprap, and Mr. Nopporn Namchiangtai, also known as Tae Moddaeng.
The court scheduled a hearing on 28 September. We believed that since the law was in effect, the court could consider the case promptly. We submitted two more petitions, but the court maintained the original date. On 28 September, the Department of Corrections brought defendants number 2, Tae Moddaeng, and number 5, Nisit Sindhuprap, to court for the hearing process.
Defense lawyers for defendants 2 and 5 submitted requests to present their defendants' testimonies and seven supporting documents, along with witness lists, to the prosecution. Defense lawyers for defendant 4, Somyos Prompha, and defendant 16, Dr. Wallop Yangtrong, also requested release warrants, including for other defendants still in exile. The court combined the hearings.
Before the court session, the prosecution stated it would not accept testimony because this is a criminal case and had already filed objections. The court proceeded and outlined the hearing approach. The prosecution requested a postponement to prepare objections for other defendants who submitted petitions later. The court said there would be no postponement, as there was sufficient factual and legal basis to decide. It accepted defendants' documentary evidence without requiring witness testimony.
The prosecution objected, proposing questions to have defendants testify. The court informed the parties there would be no testimony and asked to review the objections. The prosecution submitted three issues:
(1) The incident location was not a political venue.
(2) The protest aiming to disrupt the ASEAN leaders' meeting was not political.
(3) There were other victims besides the Prime Minister.
Defense lawyers for defendants 2 and 5 argued that the facts could not override the provisions of this Act and related laws, which exempt them from criminal and disciplinary offenses. Defense lawyers for defendants 4 and 16 said the joint plaintiff victims had withdrawn their complaints previously.
The court considered only the documents and ruled to issue release warrants for defendants 2, 4, and 5, revoke the arrest warrant for defendant 16, and instructed other defendants to submit new petitions. Relevant agencies were notified to update their records.
Mr. Nattawut concluded by stating, "Brother Nisit and Tae have been released from prison and returned home. Dr. Wallop has lost refugee status and returned home. Wanchana Kerddee is waiting to return home. For other defendants, even those already imprisoned, we will file to expunge their criminal records to restore their innocence. There are still many cases scheduled for hearings. We will continue moving forward."
