[ad_1]
BANGKOK: A plaque placed by Thai pro-democracy protesters near the Grand Palace in Bangkok declaring that Thailand belongs to the people and not the king has been removed, police said Monday.
The plaque was placed on Sunday after a weekend rally by tens of thousands of people who applauded King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s calls to reform the monarchy.
“I received a report that the plaque disappeared, but I don’t know how or who did it,” Bangkok Deputy Chief of Police Piya Tawichai told Reuters.
“The police are checking with the BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) and verifying who took it out, as the plaque is part of the evidence to charge the protest group (for this crime),” Piya said.
After the protest, people lined up to take photos next to the plaque, which also shows a hand doing the three-finger salute adopted by pro-democracy protesters.
The protesters have grown bolder and bolder during two months of demonstrations against Thailand’s palace and the army-dominated establishment, breaking a long-standing taboo on criticizing the monarchy, which is illegal under lese majesty laws.
