[ad_1]
BANGKOK: Several hundred Thai royalists staged a rally in central Bangkok on Tuesday (October 27), eager to show their allegiance to the country’s king, as mounting protests by young activists have drawn unprecedented criticism of the monarchy.
The rally had been heavily publicized on social media by palace supporters, but the turnout of around 300 people was a small fraction of the thousands of anti-government protesters who demonstrate almost daily. Almost all royalists wore yellow shirts, symbolizing devotion to the monarchy.
The demographics were also very different. Many of Tuesday’s protesters in Lumphini Park were in their 50s and 60s or older. The anti-government protesters include many college students and young professionals, as well as a large contingent of high school students.
Elderly supporters of the Thai monarchy sit and watch as others wave Thai national flags and sing during a rally at Lumphini Park in central Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct.27, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe).
Anti-government protesters want Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign, a more democratic constitution and reforms to the monarchy, which they believe is too powerful.
On Monday they went to the German embassy to ask him to investigate the activities of King Maha Vajiralongkorn during his frequent stays in Germany.
READ: Thai protesters bypass Parliament and call on Germany to investigate the king
The King and Queen Suthida are currently in Thailand for several weeks with a busy schedule of formal ceremonies and other events.
For many older Thais, any criticism of the monarchy is practically sacrilege. It is considered the cornerstone of his national identity and is protected by a law of lese majesty that requires three to 15 years in prison for anyone who defames the monarch or members of his immediate family.
The military also consider the defense of the monarchy to be one of their main functions.
The crowd in Lumphini Park enthusiastically cheered “Long Live the King” and raised signs with pro-monarchy slogans, along with portraits of King Vajiralongkorn and his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
A supporter of the Thai monarchy displays images of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida, and the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a rally at Lumphini Park in central Bangkok, Thailand, on October 27, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe ).
Supporters of the Thai monarchy display images of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a rally at Lumphini Park in central Bangkok, Thailand on October 27, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe).
Royalists played an important role in the 2006 and 2014 demonstrations that helped topple elected governments by leading to takeovers of power by the military.
A leading figure in the 2014 protests, Tul Sittisomwong, delivered a speech Tuesday calling for unity and loyalty to the monarchy.
Many realists believe that student protesters are being manipulated by older activists with their own political agendas. They have blamed an opposition political party that expresses its support for the young protesters.
LEE: Thai protesters, ‘human beings, not dust’, march in defiance of the king
“Wherever you are, Move Forward Party, if you do not stop your manipulation, we will come to you. The group will be expelled if they do not stop smearing the monarchy,” Tul said.
Supporters of the Thai monarchy display images of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and wave a giant national flag during a rally at Lumphini Park in central Bangkok, Thailand, on October 27, 2020 ( Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe).
“Who is really behind this?” Said businessman Sathit Segal, who also had a leadership role in 2014. “The problems in our country are caused by politicians who think only of themselves, attacking the monarchy. You can protest and demand whatever you want. But no. You involve the monarchy. That cannot be accepted. “
A fringe group of royalists profess to believe that the United States is behind efforts to attack the monarchy and destabilize Thailand. A handful of people protested outside the US embassy on Tuesday.
The self-proclaimed “defenders of the monarchy” mobilized last week online and at rallies in various cities, in many cases led by local officials.
There is concern that political polarization could trigger violence. Some attendees of a small realistic demonstration in Bangkok last week attacked anti-government student activists and had to be restrained by the police.
