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BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thursday that all laws would be used against protesters who break them, as demonstrations for his removal and reforms to curb King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s powers mount.
Activists expressed concern that this could mean the resumption of prosecutions under some of the harshest royal insult laws in the world.
The protests are the biggest challenge to Thailand’s establishment in years and have broken a long-standing taboo by criticizing the monarchy, which can carry a jail term of up to 15 years.
Prayuth’s announcement came a day after thousands of protesters threw paint at the Thai police headquarters in what they said was a response to the use of water cannons and tear gas that injured dozens on Tuesday, the most violent day. of protests since July. Some protesters also sprayed anti-monarchy graffiti.
“The situation is not improving,” Prayuth said in a statement. “There is a risk that violence will increase. If not addressed, it could harm the country and the beloved monarchy.
“The government will intensify its actions and use all laws, all articles, to take action against protesters who broke the law.”
He did not specify if it included article 112 of the penal code, which prohibits insulting the monarchy. Prayuth said earlier this year that it was not being used for the time being at the request of the king.
“This could mean that they are using Article 112 to arrest protest leaders,” activist Tanawat Wongchai said on Twitter. “Is this a compromise?”
Although the Royal Palace has not commented on the protests, the king recently referred to Thailand as a “land of compromise,” a phrase that has been treated with contempt by protesters.
Outraged by the anti-monarchical graffiti at Wednesday’s demonstration, some royalists called for the application of Article 112 in posts on social media.
Dozens of protesters, including many of the most prominent leaders, have been arrested on a variety of charges in recent months, though not for criticizing the monarchy.
A major protest is planned at the Crown Property Office on November 25 by the administration of the palace fortune, which the king has taken under his personal control. The fund is valued at tens of billions of dollars.
The protesters said there would be seven more days of demonstrations after that.
