Indian facing deportation says will back Thai protests

A prominent Indian businessman facing deportation from Thailand has said that he will continue to participate in anti-government protests, even as the Thai authorities were considering his case.

Satish Seghal, former president of the India-Thai Business Association, appeared on the main rally stage at the busy Pathumwan intersection in the capital on Thursday and expressed solidarity with the protesters.

It was Seghal's first appearance after the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order decided on Monday to deport him for joining the People's Democratic Reforms Committee that has been holding protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for the past two months seeking her ouster.

Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith said on Thursday any appeal would be invalid because Seghal's deportation was activated under the state of emergency, which was put into effect by the CMPO.

Talking to protesters, Sehgal said he would continue to go on anti-government platforms despite the caretaker government's move to deport him.

Earlier, Sehgal had said that he stopped speaking at opposition-backed anti-government rallies after the state of emergency was invoked last month.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban also spoke in support of Seghal.

Seghal, who has been living in Thailand for more than 50 years but still holds an Indian passport, was an advisor to many former ministers, including those in the administration run by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck's brother.

Meanwhile, the CMPO will seek court approval for warrants to arrest an additional 39 rally leaders for violating the emergency decree, centre chief Chalerm Yoobamrung has said.

The CMPO has already obtained 19 arrest warrants for rally leaders, and ordered assistant national police chief Winai Thongsong to take them into custody without using force. The police are confident they can detain the suspects within a year.

A dozen special task forces headed by senior police officers would be appointed to arrest the 19 leaders of the anti-government PDRC, he said.

Image: An anti-government protester blows on a whistle next to a riot policeman as she gathers with others outside the headquarters of the ruling Puea Thai Party of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Bangkok

Photograph: Reuters