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BANGKOK (Reuters) – “They think arresting the leaders will stop us. It’s no use. We are all leaders today,” said 24-year-old Pla, addressing thousands of protesters at Bangkok’s Victory Monument on Sunday. .
Despite the arrest of many of Thailand’s most prominent protest leaders in the past week, the demonstrations have increased, with calls for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. .
Partly borrowing from the Hong Kong protest handbook and partly figuring things out for themselves, previously unknown protesters have thwarted police efforts and demonstrated the strongest public support for change in decades.
It was designed that way.
“Get your megaphones ready, your protective gear on, because everyone is a leader,” the protest by the group Juventud Libre announced in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Before being arrested on Saturday, well-known face Panupong “Mike Rayong” Jadnok, 24, sent the same signal using the hashtag #everybodyisaleader on Facebook.
Even the sites for the protests have been decided through voting on social media groups. Multiple advertisements for potential protest sites have left police guessing. By the time they appear, thousands of people have already concentrated.
Police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen described the situation as “very dynamic”, adding: “What we can say now is to warn the public that they have to follow the law.”
The lack of leadership on the ground led to some awkward moments Saturday when people seemed unsure who to speak of. Protests in Thailand traditionally involve a series of speakers on stage.
Suthida “Smile” Buakhom, 20, appeared at a rally with a microphone she had brought with the expectation that it might be necessary due to the arrests of dozens of activists.
“I know that people cannot stay in one place for long without some kind of focus,” he told Reuters. “I try to encourage everyone to get up to speak.”
HONG KONG MODEL
Thai protesters have been quick to adopt the “Be Water” tactics of Hong Kong protesters, but they have also garnered moral support from activists who see a struggle comparable to an authoritarian system. The Thai protesters seek to overthrow Prayuth, a former leader of the junta, and reduce the powers of the monarchy.
“Be kind to your peers, have faith in the collective wisdom, be fluent in strategy, be decisive in action,” Hong Kong activist Nathan Law tweeted Sunday in support of the Thai protesters. “Never lose hope, stay safe.”
Some 13 activists who first gathered at Bangkok’s Asok intersection on Sunday briefed each other after the crowd of thousands dispersed peacefully, agreeing to a new chat group to stay in touch and prepare for future demonstrations.
“I came today to help with the organization, but when I arrived there was still no natural leader, so I started talking,” said Omyim, who only gave his nickname.
One of those who came forward, PK, was older than others in his 30s and helped ensure safety, and all were concerned that the police might use water cannons and batons again as they did at a protest on Friday.
“We need to protect the activists, especially the younger protesters,” he told Reuters. He and other protesters had joined arm in arm to separate the protest area from traffic and made sure people had room to move.
The activists showed each other the hand signals: “Danger”, “Safe”, “Someone has been arrested”, “Can’t hear”, “I need water” and more.
As word spread that the police might approach the different demonstrations, human chains were joined to pass protective equipment such as helmets, goggles and umbrellas.
And beyond immediate safety concerns, accounts emerged on social media to indicate where protesters could find restrooms, where they could find friends or lost belongings, or if they needed a bed for the night.
A student leader who gained prominence during previous protests said she was falling out of the spotlight because she had so far avoided arrest.
“Now I am just one of the people who wants to see a change together with everyone,” Chonthicha ‘Lookkate’ Jangrew, 27, told Reuters.
(Additional information from Jiraporn Kuhakan; written by Matthew Tostevin; edited by Frances Kerry)
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