Members of anti-coup group detained

(BangkokPost.com) - Police detained three members of the anti-coup group White Dove in Chiang Mai on Friday as the dissidents were handing out leaflets attacking the military junta.

Ritthikrai Chaiwanasart, Sakchai Saelee and Thaweesup (last name unknown) were arrested while passing out documents they printed from the website hi-thaksin to people in the central district of Chiang Mai, the hometown of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

According to reports, they were taken to Kawila military camp for questioning.

Police also arrested the group leader Noparut Worachitwuthikul when he appeared at the Chiang Mai municipality to ask for permission to use the area around Tha Pae to hold a rally.

The group earlier asked for permission to use the venue on Friday, but the municipality refused, claiming it was already booked for another event. Without permission for a rally, the group brought equipment to set up a stage.

Mr Noparut said the group would like to tell people in Chiang Mai what was going on behind the Sept 19 coup.

The attempt to set up a stage and hold a rally came just one day before Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is scheduled to meet with heads of villages and community leaders in the northern city.