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BANGKOK: Protesters in Bangkok on Saturday (September 19) reiterated demands that the Thai monarchy stay above politics and under the constitution in the largest demonstration since the military coup in 2014.
They gathered in Sanam Luang, a public square in front of the Royal Palace in Bangkok, to express their opposition to the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and call for reforms, including the monarchy.
The protesters gather in Sanam Luang, a public square in front of the Royal Palace in Bangkok to call for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
Protesters gather in Sanam Luang, a public square in front of the Royal Palace in Bangkok to call for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
“If we can’t change this, we will never have democracy,” said lawyer and civil rights activist Anon Nampha, who was recently released from jail after violating his bail conditions.
He has been actively involved in recent student-led demonstrations and has openly called for reforms of the monarchy in Thailand, where the lese majesty law imposes prison terms of three to 15 years.
In his speech Saturday, Anon questioned whether the annual budget allocations for the monarchy could be cut and whether the king’s constitutional powers could be reduced.
“We want our country to remain under the constitutional monarchy. We don’t think otherwise, ”he said.
Protesters gather in Sanam Luang, a public square in front of the Royal Palace in Bangkok to call for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
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Saturday marked the 14th anniversary of the previous military coup, which toppled the provisional government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after months of political upheaval and street protests.
The September 19 rally is one of many recent youth-led rallies calling for various reforms in Thailand, including the removal of its lese majesty law.
It was organized by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) and began late in the morning on Saturday, when protesters gathered in front of Thammasat University. This was despite the university’s announcement last week to ban the demonstration on its campus.
People gathered in front of the university gate in front of Sanam Luang, including student activists Panupong “Mike” Jadnok and Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul. The crowd demanded that university staff open the door and let them in, which was what happened shortly after.
Security officers watching protesters in Sanam Luang. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
One of the protesters, Supatra Pranakhon, 40, told CNA that she traveled by bus for eight hours from Loei in northeast Thailand to show her support. She believes that young people are doing the right thing by “fighting for democracy” and calling for political reforms, saying the country is in “terrible” shape.
“Young people these days are expressive. They dare to think and act. They are better than those of the past, who did not dare, “said Supatra.
“Our prime minister is incompetent and lacks leadership. He already took a hit and took power. Now is the time to give power back to the people. Let others run the country. “
The protesters gather in Sanam Luang, a public square in front of the Royal Palace in Bangkok to call for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
The protesters gather in Sanam Luang, a public square in front of the Royal Palace in Bangkok to call for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
Saturday’s rally is not Supatra’s first. Six years ago, she participated in the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rally against the democratically elected government under then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which paved the way for the 2014 coup.
It was led by Prayut, who was the head of the army at the time, and was welcomed by various supporters of the PDRC.
Today, Supatra has joined a movement calling for the end of his rule.
“I don’t like this government. They have been in power for too long. Nothing has improved, ”he said.
“You have already taken power. You should let it go now. You shouldn’t even be prime minister. You should give power back to someone else, someone competent. “
In the evening, a stage was set up in nearby Sanam Luang before protesters moved to the public square as the crowd grew.
Protesters gather in Sanam Luang, a public square in front of the Royal Palace in Bangkok to call for reforms in the Thai monarchy. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
The rally is scheduled to continue on Sunday, when protesters plan to install a bronze plaque similar to the one made after the 1932 Siam Revolution, which made Thailand’s transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.
The original commemorative bronze plaque, previously located in the Plaza Real where the Popular Party announced the revolution 88 years ago, mysteriously disappeared in April 2017 without explanation. It was replaced by another plaque, which is inscribed with a different set of words.
According to Anon, a new plaque will be placed on the ground with a message that reads: In the early morning of September 20, 2020, the people proclaimed that Thailand belongs to the people and not to the monarchy.
