More than 10,000 Protestants have gathered in the Thai capital, Bangkok, to demand the resignation of the government, changes to the constitution and an end to the harassment of opposition activists.
Protesters said Sunday’s protest would show broader support for change in the Southeast Asian country outside the student groups that have been organizing near-daily protests over the past month.
“We are here from all different groups, all different ages,” Kukkik, a 29-year-old postgraduate student who wanted to give just one name, told Reuters news agency, as protesters sang: “Down with dictatorship, live democracy lang. “
Like the departure of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former military leader who won contested elections last year, some groups have also called for a powerful monarchy – once a taboo subject .
“The students came out a few weeks ago, and I want to support them,” said Thanyarak Suksarard, 50. “I support their call for political change.”
Protesters gather at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument for one of the largest demonstrations since Prayuth seized power in a 2014 coup.
Police said about 600 officers were deployed to keep order.
King loyalists hold rally
Several dozen royalists also held a demonstration, waving national flags and holding gold-framed portraits of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and other members of the royal family.
“I do not care if they protest against the government, but they can not attack the monarchy,” said Sumet Trakulwoonnoo, leader of the Royalist Group, Coordination Center for Professional Protection of National Institutions (CVPI).
“We are here to observe the other protest, whether they insult the monarchy or not, and will take legal action if they do,” he said, stressing that the group there was peaceful.
Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay, reporting from Bangkok, said the anti-government protesters did not continue to support their demands for reform.
“Earlier protests were mainly led by students. However, we are looking here today for a more diverse audience, with many older people participating as well,” he said.
“Monarchy reform is a very sensitive issue in Thailand because of the protective laws surrounding the royal family. The government is so far controlling the protest movement to see where it is going. There is a large presence of the police at the Democracy Monument, but there is no sign that police will intervene in peaceful protests. “
Anti-government anger has been fueled by the arrest of three of the student leaders over allegations of breach of restrictions while organizing previous protests.
The student leaders have been released on bail pending further investigation, but police say arrest officers have been issued for a further 12 protest leaders.
.
