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Pro-democracy protesters march toward Government House during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on October 14, 2020 (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
BANGKOK – The Thai government declared a state of emergency on Thursday, banning gatherings of more than four people and banning online postings deemed a threat to national security in a move to end pro-democracy protests.
The order was aimed at ending the “unconstitutional” protests and came after protesters demanding the resignation of the prime minister rallied outside his Bangkok office overnight and clashed with royalists who opposed the calls. of the youth movement to reform the monarchy.
Student activists have organized large demonstrations since July calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief who came to power in a coup six years ago.
The state of emergency allows the seizure of “electronic communications equipment, data and weapons that are suspected of causing the emergency situation,” a government spokesman said.
It was unclear whether a protest scheduled for later Thursday would be held at a major Bangkok intersection, with police warning that protesters “can no longer assemble … as planned or they will be arrested.”
Tensions erupted on Wednesday when thousands of protesters gathered around the Democracy Monument in Bangkok ahead of the afternoon scheduled for the passage of a royal caravan carrying King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family.
While the police had cordoned off most of the protesters away from the actual route, dozens of people were still present when the caravan passed.
Queen Suthida could be seen watching from the window of a limousine as protesters raised three-fingered salutes, a gesture of defiance that the pro-democracy movement has borrowed from the popular Hunger Games books and movies. ”.
Such open challenges to the monarchy are unprecedented in Thailand, where the influence of the royal family permeates every aspect of society.
Those calls have sparked a backlash from Thailand’s staunchly pro-royal establishment.
The King is the most powerful figure in Thailand and is supported by the kingdom’s powerful military clans and billionaires.
He spends much of his time in Europe, but he and his family have been in Thailand in recent days for an annual Buddhist merit ceremony.
Wednesday’s car was the first meeting the royal family has had with the protesters.
The ‘protesters’ must face legal proceedings’
Various popular anti-government movements have emerged in Thailand’s turbulent modern history, which has suffered long bouts of political unrest and more than a dozen successful military coups since 1932.
The military has long positioned itself as the sole defender of the ultra-wealthy king, whose power extends to all facets of Thai society.
Activists have repeatedly said that they only want the monarchy to adapt to modern times.
Their demands include the abolition of a strict royal defamation law, which protects the king from criticism, and that the monarch stay out of politics.
Since the protests began, dozens of activists have been arrested, charged with sedition and released on bail.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the prime minister had ordered the police to press charges against “the protesters who obstructed the royal caravan” on Wednesday.
Charges will also be brought against “those who acted in a manner that defamed the monarchy,” it said in a statement.
“They must face legal procedures without exception.”
After the protesters marched towards Government House, they stayed up all night shouting for Prayut to “come out”, while some camped outside.
Organizer Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree reiterated the need to rewrite a 2017 constitution with a military script.
“The new constitution should bring Thailand to a democratic system with the institution of the monarchy actually ruled under it,” he said.
Wednesday’s rally was aimed at commemorating the 47th anniversary of a 1973 student uprising in which 77 people died.
“This could be the last fight for democracy in Thailand,” said Attaporn, 18, who traveled from the kingdom’s northern Pichit province to join the rally.
“I have to do this if I want a better future.”
/ MUF
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