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Thai government declares state of emergency
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State of emergency in Thailand
After sustained mass demonstrations, the Thai government declared a state of emergency and in fact banned any protests. Many of the protesters were inspired by a Hollywood movie.
The situation in Bangkok is getting worse. Now the government has declared a state of emergency. This means that the protesters can no longer demonstrate. Otherwise, they face arrests and charges.
men Thailand, the government of former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Chaden, faced with massive protests, declared a state of emergency. Gatherings of more than four people in the capital Bangkok, as well as the posting of messages on the Internet, “which could harm national security,” have been banned, a government spokesman said Thursday.
As part of the state of emergency, “unconstitutional” protests would be banned, the government spokesman said. Authorities have also been authorized to seize communications equipment, data and weapons if they are suspected of contributing to the current “emergency.”
It was unclear if another massive rally planned for Thursday would take place. The police warned that opponents of the government would not be allowed to assemble and be arrested. Dozens of people have been arrested and charged with rioting since the protests began in July.
The reason for the protests
The youth-led pro-democracy protest movement is calling for the resignation of the government and an open debate on the role of the monarchy in Thailand. The protesters, some of whom were inspired by the Hong Kong democracy movement, are also calling for the abolition of a law that provides draconian penalties for criticizing the royal family.
On Wednesday, thousands of protesters gathered around the democracy monument in Bangkok before a caravan with King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family passed by in the afternoon. Later, the police excluded most of the protesters from the route of the royal column.
Dozens of them were still present when the column passed. Queen Suthida could be seen staring out the window of her limousine as protesters stretched out three fingers; the gesture is taken from the film series “The Hunger Games” and an expression of pro-democracy protest.
Such overt expressions of protest against the royal family are completely new in Thailand. The monarch is the most powerful figure in the Southeast Asian country and has the support of the military and billionaire families.
The government announced that protesters who “obstructed the royal caravan” should be prosecuted. Even those who “defamed” the monarchy should be prosecuted without exception.
The protesters marched from the Democracy Monument to Prime Minister Prayut’s official residence, some of them camped there overnight. In front of the seat of the government there was a fight between critics of the government and supporters of the monarchy. According to authorities, around 14,000 police officers were on duty during the protests on Wednesday.
“This could be the last fight for Thai democracy,” said Attaporn, 18, who had come to protest from the northern province of Phichit. “I have to do this if I want a better future.”
There have been more than a dozen military coups in Thailand’s recent past. The most recent coup took place in 2014. Former army chief Prayut emerged victorious from a parliamentary election overshadowed by allegations of fraud last year.
