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BANGKOK: Thai anti-government protesters demonstrated outside Bangkok today with a parade of ducks and speeches demanding the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a new constitution and reforms to the monarchy.
The protests have escalated this week despite threats from Prayuth, a former junta ruler, to use all available laws against protesters who break them and charges of insulting the monarchy against various protest leaders.
Hundreds of people gathered in both Nonthaburi and Bang Na, northwest and southeast of Bangkok respectively.
“We have had too many years of a corrupt dictatorship. We want an election where our voices are really heard, “said a 24-year-old recent graduate, who only gave her the nickname” A “.
Protesters are seeking Prayuth’s removal from office, accusing him of organizing an election last year to maintain the power that was taken from an elected government in a coup in 2014. He has said the vote was fair and that he will not resign.
Protesters have also broken taboos by seeking reforms to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s monarchy, saying the institution has allowed decades of military domination.
The palace has not commented since the protests began. The king has said that despite the demonstrations, the protesters are loved “anyway.”
