Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Wednesday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Police were also behind those protests, as the car, which was great vajiralongakornano the king’s youngest son, Prince dipangakorna, gradually merged in the past.
According to Thai lawyers for human rights, Banquanan “Francis” Pathong and Ukachai Hongkangwan will be charged under Article 110 of Thailand’s Criminal Code.
Those convicted under Article 110 have attempted a maximum life sentence for violence or attempted violence against the Queen, heir-apparent or steward. If the actions are considered likely to endanger the queen’s life, then the death penalty may be imposed.
Punsuk Poonsulcharo, a lawyer for Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, said the pair are believed to be facing charges that carry a maximum life sentence.
Unachai was arrested while on his way to Bangkok’s Dusit police station to surrender, and Banquanan was taken into custody after he surrendered to police, the lawyer group said.
The decree, which is being implemented in the Thai capital, bans gatherings of more than five people and includes a nationwide ban on the publication and broadcast of news and information, including online – which incites fear among the people.
In a mass demonstration of neglect, thousands of protesters stormed the streets of Bangkok for a second night on Thursday. Officials warned through loudspeakers that protesters were violating the decree, photographing and could be prosecuted and arrested. But crowds of protesters gathered at the Ratchaprasong intersection of Bangkok’s business center, chanting, shouting at police and turning on lights from their cellphones.
Protests are expected to continue by the end of the week.
Student-led demonstrations and marches running in Thailand since July and March have increased in recent weeks. Opposition groups called for a new constitution, dissolve parliament and the resignation of Prime Minister Priyat Chan-o-Cha, as well as threats against government critics.
There is a growing central demand for reform in the monarchy of the country to control the powers of King Maha Vajirlongkorn and to ensure a true constitutional king under the democratic system.
“I will not give up,” Prime Minister Priyut said in response to calls for his ouster on Friday.
In a news conference after the special cabinet meeting, Priyut said the cabinet had approved the emergency decree and it could remain in place for 30 days.
The Prime Minister said that if this condition (decree) is used for one month only or even shorter if the situation becomes normal. “It is not intended to harm anyone. Who has been harmed recently? Most are officers. This means the situation is erratic.”
Prayut also warned young protesters not to break the law and told parents to keep an eye on their children.
“For those students, parents should try their best to take care of their children because I don’t want to see any results. It’s very harmful. I don’t know what the mastermind really wants.”
Protesters have been marching in Bangkok every day since Tuesday this week and are in harmony with King Vazirolongkorn’s return to Thailand for royal duties to commemorate his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
On Wednesday, thousands of protesters marched from the city’s Democracy Monument to the community and broke a police barrier to camp outside Prayut’s office fees late into the night.
Officers stepped up security this week and deployed about 15,000 police to control the crowd on Wednesday.
Thai lawyers for Human Rights said 51 people had been arrested in Bangkok this week after anti-government protests and were facing legal action.
Among them were student leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijiravattanakul, human rights lawyer and Leader of the Opposition Arnon Nampa, and Leader of the Opposition Parit “Penguin” Chivarak.
Details around the 51 arrest grounds have not yet been released.
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