They were leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) that organised the protests that culminated in the extended "Bangkok shutdown", with the occupation of many government of buildings throughout the capital. All nine accused showed up at the Office of the Attorney-General to hear the indictment decision on Thursday. Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the House of Representatives in December 2013. Protesters in Bangkok and the South, the political strongholds of the Democrat Party, also prevented advance voting for the general election. In May that year the caretaker Pheu Thai government was toppled by the coup d'etat led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the present prime minister.

Source: Bangkok Post January 24, 2018 07:52 UTC