Thai court sentences 'Red Shirts' to 4-year jail terms for violence at 2009 regional meeting
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this April 12, 2009, file photo, "Red Shirt" demonstrators take to the streets during riots in Bangkok. A Thai court sentenced 15 members of the "Red Shirt" political movement to four years in prison on Thursday, March 5, 2015, for inciting rioting that disrupted an important regional conference in 2009, news reports said. (AP Photo/David Longstreath, File) (The Associated Press)
Thai news reports say 15 members of the "Red Shirt" political movement have been sentenced to four years in prison for rioting that disrupted an important regional conference in 2009.
The sentencing Thursday by a court in Pattaya is the latest blow against supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 after being accused of corruption and disrespect for the king.
Thaksin and his allies have won every national election since 2001. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was forced from the prime minister's job last year by a controversial court ruling just before another military coup toppled the government. Thaksin's supporters believe the royalist establishment fears his popularity and is attempting to reduce his influence.