Copyright
Reuters
After his arrest, Parit Chiwarak was seen with his mother at the police station where he was taken
Thai police have arrested a prominent student leader amid a growing movement calling for political reform.
Parit Chiwarak, 22, was arrested on the outskirts of Bangkok for taking part in a demonstration last month. Students have since held regular protests.
They are calling for a new constitution including changes to strict laws that prohibit corruption of the monarchy.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former general, says the majority of Thais do not support the Protestants.
Mr Parit’s arrest on Friday was broadcast live on social media by a friend. The footage shows police officers reading to several prosecutors before he was tied up in a car, shouting, “Long live democracy.”
Police Major General Somprasong Yentaum told AFP news agency: “I can confirm that Parit Chiwarak has been arrested … The prosecutors are referring to the July 18 demonstration.”
He faces charges including sedition, assault and holding an event that could spread an illness.
Two other protest leaders were arrested last Friday on similar charges, but were later released on bail.
The Protestants – who are calling for the dissolution of parliament and a new constitution that reduces the political role of the monarchy – have often used the three-fingered salute from the Hunger Games films.
Copyright
Getty Images
The three-fingered salute from the Hunger Games movie franchise is used by many protesters
What are the protests about?
Thailand has a long history of political unrest, but a new wave of protests began in February after the pro-democracy Future Forward Party (FFP) was dissolved by court order.
It had received the third largest share of seats in elections a year earlier and was particularly popular with young voters.
Many saw the interview – the first since the military took power in 2014 – as an opportunity for change after years of military rule.
But during the election, Mr Prayuth – the former military leader leading the coup – was re-installed as prime minister. Protests were held but were quickly stopped by Covid-19 restrictions.
Tensions were restored in June when Wanchalearm Satsaksit, a leading activist in exile in Cambodia since 2014, went missing. The Thai government denied any involvement in its disappearance.
Student-led protests erupted on July 18, despite a ban on mass gatherings under the state of emergency. Rallies have been held almost daily since then.
The army commander, General Apirat Kongsompong, suggested that the Protestants were hit by “chung chart”, as “hatred of the nation”.
