The Truth for Reconciliation Commission is standing firm on its recommendation that people charged with political offences, including red shirt co-leader Arisman Pongruangrong, be detained separately from other inmates.
TRC chairman Kanit na Nakorn said those involved in last year's unrest were driven by political motivations and did not deserve to be lumped in with criminals.
Such a separation would help forge improved relations between state authorities and red shirt suspects.
The TRC made the recommendation in September. Mr Arisman surrendered to authorities last week.
"Our recommendation is based on academic principles without any prejudice and favour," Mr Kanit said.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has opposed a move by the Corrections Department to send Mr Arisman and other red shirt suspects to a detention centre for political prisoners at the former Bang Khen private police school in Lak Si district.
Mr Abhisit said he would not object if those who were charged with violating the emergency decree for their role in rallies were separated from other inmates.
But terrorism, assault, illegal use of war weapons and arson attacks were criminal violations, not political offences, he said.
Earlier, Corrections Department chief Suchart Wong-ananchai said the relocation of Mr Arisman and other political suspects to the new detention facility was in line with suggestions by the TRC, which is investigating clashes between the red shirts and security forces in April and May last year.
Mr Arisman was charged with instigating an insurrection against the Abhisit government after turning himself in to the Department of Special Investigation on Wednesday.
Sophon Thitithamphruek, director of Bangkok Remand Prison, said Mr Arisman appeared stressed after two days in detention. But he was complying with the rules and the regulations of the prison,
Mr Sophon said, adding that fellow inmates had been assigned to take care of Mr Arisman, who previously said he was being hunted down.
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