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BANGKOK: Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters and royalist supporters of King Maha Vajiralongkorn staged rival shows of force on Wednesday (October 14) with political tension mounting after three months of demonstrations.
The anti-government protesters left the Democracy Monument in the official government compound, known as Government House, to demand the departure of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, a former military leader, and a new constitution. They have also called for the reform of the monarchy.
Just a few feet away, there was a mix of security forces, state employees, and royalists who had dressed in royal yellow before a royal caravan passed down the road.
Despite some brief squabbles, the two sides remained largely separate, but the confrontation revived fears of trouble in a country that suffered a decade of street violence between supporters and opponents of the establishment before a 2014 coup.
“Have faith in democracy. We cannot back down,” protest leader Parit “Penguin” Chirawat told protesters.
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As thousands of people dressed in yellow lined the streets as protesters passed, it was unclear how many were there out of conviction. One made the three-finger salute of anti-government protesters, who rushed to shake his hand.
Royalist leader Buddha Issara said the protesters could demand democracy, but should not ask for reforms from the monarchy, as some have done.
“They must not touch the institution,” he told reporters.
Protesters made a rare direct challenge to the king on Tuesday, yelling at their passing convoy after 21 activists were arrested during fights with police. Police said the detainees would be charged with public order offenses on Wednesday.
The protests have become the biggest challenge in years for a ruling system dominated by the army and the palace.
Police officers walk past as royalists hold photographs of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida near Royal Square in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 14, 2020. REUTERS / Athit Perawongmetha
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‘DANGEROUS GAME’
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said police had been told to avoid an unnecessary confrontation. Police said nearly 15,000 officers had been deployed to maintain order.
Police did not intervene when protesters removed the potted plants that they said authorities had placed at the Democracy Monument to prevent them from reaching what has become the focus of the protests. All the plants were carefully placed on the road.
The royal palace has not responded to any request for comment on the protests or the protesters’ demands.
The pro-royalist demonstrations have been small, compared to the tens of thousands who joined the largest anti-government rally in September, but the royalist gathering on Wednesday was much larger.
“The establishment in Thailand plays a very dangerous game, mobilizing state security forces and ultra-realistic groups to confront pro-democracy protesters,” said Prajak Kongkirati, a professor at Thammasat University.
People raise their thumbs and show the three-finger salute as a realistic bus passes by during a massive anti-government Thai protest, on the 47th anniversary of the 1973 student uprising, near the Democracy Monument, Bangkok, Thailand, on October 14th. 2020. REUTERS / Soe Zeya Tun
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Among the demands of the anti-government protesters are restrictions on the king’s constitutional powers and that he return the personal control he took over some army units and a palace fortune valued at tens of billions of dollars.
They say that Prayut, who came to power in a coup in 2014, rigged the elections last year to ensure continued control of the army. He says the elections were fair.
“Things shouldn’t be like this,” said a 17-year-old student at the protest who gave her name only as Foil. “We have to recover our future.”
