Protests in Thailand: King has to go back and arrest protesters

The protests in Thailand against the government and the monarchy are boiling over. King Maha Vajiralongkorn returns and arrests the protesters.

Updated on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 2:45 pm.: the Protests in Thailand, specially in Bangkok, increase. On Wednesday, thousands of people gathered again in Bangkok to oppose the government of the former Thai army chief. Prayut Chan-O-Cha show. Also in the focus of criticism: Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The 68-year-old spends most of his time in Bavaria by Lake Starnberg, but this week he returned to Thailand for royal duties.

However, as “CNN” reports, royal duties are not the only reason to return. The people rebel. the Monarchy is challenged. That’s why prominent activist Anon Numpa called for a demonstration Wednesday at the democracy monument in the Thai capital. According to the authorities, around 14,000 policemen were on duty.

Protests in Thailand: King Vajiralongkorn arrives by car – police arrest protesters

On Tuesday the police had 21 people arrested during the protestsbecause, according to the police, they resisted the security forces. In the afternoon the column of King Vajiralongkorn to the Protesters pass by. “When the royal caravan arrives, don’t use bad language,” Anon warned. Because in Thailand Criticism of the royal family is punishable by draconian penalties.

Dozens of protesters extended three fingers toward the passing caravan; the gesture is taken from the film series “The Hunger Games” and is an expression of the protest of pro-democracy activists. Following the arrests at the Democracy Monument, some 300 people went to the city police station to demand the release of the activists.
The protesters, partly inspired by the Hong Kong protest movement, are demanding not only the resignation of the government, but also the abolition of a controversial law to protect the Monarchy, which provides severe penalties for criticizing the royal family.

Protests against the monarchy in Thailand: Rama X. and luxury life in Bavaria

First report on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 5:41 p.m. Youth in Thailand He is upset. His country, until now a dream tourist destination, is groaning under the strict restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Many fear for its existence. Of the King but stay away from home in the crisis. Maha Vajiralongkorn, or Rama X., has lived a luxurious life in Bavaria for some time. The 68-year-old owns a villa on Lake Starnberg, but has been living with his entourage in a hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for months. He only returns to old Siam on special occasions. The anger, especially among Thai students, is so great that they openly break an ancient taboo.

Thailand: young people want reforms

Time and again they take to the streets and demand a reform of the monarchy, especially when it comes to laws that establish draconian penalties for criticizing royalty. Young activists are not demanding the abdication of the regent, but simply more democracy and the right to freedom of expression. Until now you’ve been taking a chance Thailand 15 years in prison for him Insulting the king or his court. The Southeast Asian country has the strictest Lèse Majesté law in the world.

The protest movement is young, modern and creative, and in flagrant contradiction to the rigid rules that exist today. Thailand looks dated. The three-finger salute of the rebels from the science fiction film series “The Hunger Games” has long become a symbol of resistance. And in August they even called Harry Potter for a rally. King Vajiralongkorn was suddenly “He whose name should not be mentioned”, based on Lord Voldemort, the villain of the JK Rowling saga.

Many questions about the powers of the monarchy in Thailand

“The style of demonstrations is new, nothing like it has happened before,” says Kevin Hewison, emeritus professor of Asian studies at the University of Chapel Hill in North Carolina. “This reflects that a new generation is starting here to demand better politics.”

The human rights activist Anon Nampa, one of the most famous faces in the movement, emphasized in the demonstration in front of thousands of activists: “We have swept the issue under the carpet for many years!” But many today would have questions about the powers of the monarchy. It is not about abolishing it, but about not giving it more and more power. That actually sounds less like a revolution than a possible dialogue.

But the project is likely to be difficult, as Rama X has the support of the sitting military government. Meanwhile, the former coup general and current head of government Prayuth Chan-ocha finds himself in the crossfire during the protests: the protesters want his resignation and demand new elections.

Rama X divides the population of Thailand

Furthermore, the monarchy continues to have many followers. “The Thai population is divided on this,” says Paul Chambers, a military expert and professor at Naresuan University in the north of the country. These are mainly the aftermath of the reign of Bhumibol, Vajiralongkorn’s father, who died in 2016. Bhumibol was respected throughout the country and worshiped almost like a god.

“Vajiralongkorn, however, seems to be in Thailand and be relatively uninterested in their subjects, ”says Asia expert Hewison. The contrast with his father is stark. This also applies to the private life of the monarch, who is considered a playboy.

Last year, surprisingly, he had made his mistress the second official wife. In autumn, the idyll suddenly collapsed, the official concubine disappeared from the place, it is said that she even ended up in jail. “Koi” was recently forgiven. Supposedly she should now with King in Bavaria to be.

Thailand “belongs to the people, not the monarch”

The protests are also about greater transparency in finances. In 2018 the King took direct control of royal possessions. Until then, the property had been serviced by the royal financial administration, the Crown Property Bureau. The bon vivant Vajiralongkorn is considered the richest monarch in the world with an estimated fortune of up to 60 billion euros. In September it became known that the flight enthusiast regent should own 38 planes and two dozen helicopters.

It seems unlikely that the demonstrations against the government and the monarch will diminish. On the contrary. In September it was in a massive protest in the movement Bangkok managed to send a letter to the police King go through ten proposals for reform of the monarchy. In addition, activists had cemented a bronze plaque in the huge Sanam Luang Square, not far from the former royal palace. The inscription: “This land belongs to the people and not to the monarch.” But just a day later the plaque was gone. The authorities took them out and confiscated them.

The student movement was not impressed. As leaders say, people have long carried tablet content in their hearts anyway. One uploaded a replica to the Internet. The result: The insignia of democracy is now everywhere, adorning T-shirts, smartphone cases and key rings. (with dpa and afp)

Rubric Image: © MLADEN ANTONOV / AFP