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Of: TT
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Photo: Wason Wanichakorn / AP / TT
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida during a car trip earlier this week.
The demonstrations in the Thai capital, Bangkok, continue despite the country’s emergency.
Several activists have been arrested and are now at risk of severe punishment. Protesters who approached the queen’s car on Wednesday even risk being sentenced to death.
Thai police announced on Friday that the two men arrested on Wednesday in connection with a critical government rally in the queen’s car will be charged with attempted violence against the queen, a crime that could result in the death penalty. in the country.
The demonstration in which the two men participated took place at the Democracy Monument in central Bangkok, where the Queen of Thailand Suthida passed in a convoy of cars.
The queen’s car was greeted with slogans and gestures critical of the government, as a result of which the convoy was slowly brought down and police were called to the scene to remove the protesters. Two men were arrested in connection with the incident.
Possible death penalty
The action against the queen led the government to declare a national emergency which, among other things, means a ban on politically motivated crowds of more than five people.
Anyone who exposes the queen or her heir to the throne to violence can be sentenced to life in prison under Thai law. If the violence is considered to have put the queen in mortal danger, the culprits can be sentenced to death.
The government-critical movement in Thailand, which has been protesting almost daily since July, is demanding greater democracy, new elections, the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and a rewritten constitution, in which the king and the The country’s seemingly inviolable monarchy no longer have great power. Power.
“Wait and see”
Prayut Chan-O-Cha announced on Friday that he has no intention of leaving office and emphasizes the importance of the emergency.
– The government must take advantage of the emergency. We have to continue this as the situation has turned violent. It will last 30 days, or less if the situation improves, says the Prime Minister and raises that warning finger at the protesters.
– Wait and see. If you make a mistake, we will use the law.
Since the emergency was announced, more than 40 protesters have been arrested. Despite this, protests continue and during Friday afternoon local time, new protests are planned.
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