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Tens of thousands of people, including high school students, took part in demonstrations in Bangkok despite a government ban on assembling four people.
Crowds gathered at Ratchaprasong, one of Bangkok’s busiest intersections, on the afternoon of October 15 and shouted “I am not afraid”, “Free our friends”, “Prime Minister Prayuth”. We must resign ”, and call the police“ slave ”of the regime. Earlier in the day, only hundreds showed up at this intersection.
“Like a hedgehog, we will fight to the death,” Panupon Jadnok, one of the leaders of the protest, told the crowd. “We will not back down, we will not flee. We will not go anywhere.”
Tens of thousands of Thais protested in Bangkok on October 15. Video: guardian.
Students participating in the protest use duct tape to cover their name tags on their uniforms. A protester held a sign that read: “To family and friends, if something happens to me, please don’t blame me for coming to the rally, blame those who hurt the people.
Protesters sometimes forced a police car back and the crowd was so loud that their screams could be heard throughout the city. Protesters blocked the Ratchaprasong crossing, many shopping malls in the area closed early.
Some 2,500 riot police were deployed in response to the situation. Police spokesperson Krissana Pattanacharoen said the student leaders who called the protest on October 15 “clearly broke the law.”
The demonstration came after the Thai government imposed a ban on assembling more than 4 people under an emergency decree that came into effect from the morning of October 15 to stop the protest. After the emergency measure was announced, the police dispersed thousands of protesters gathered this morning in front of the prime minister’s office and arrested 22 activists.
Thai protesters held up a cell phone flashlight on the streets of Bangkok on October 15. Image: AFP.
The emergency decree gives officials the right to arrest protesters without waiting for a court order and keep them in prison for up to 30 days without seeing a lawyer or relative. Officials are also authorized to seize “electronic communications equipment, data and weapons” suspected of being involved in the protest. Online messages that say “threaten national security” are also prohibited.
Protest movements have increased in Thailand since mid-July to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, reform the monarchy led by King Vajiralongkorn, build a new constitution and hold elections. They said that there is no need to abolish the monarchy in Thailand, but it is necessary to reduce the power of the king according to the constitution.
King Vajiralongkorn, 68, who spends most of his time living in Germany, is making a rare trip back to Thailand to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is revered by people. The Royal Palace has so far not commented on the protests or requests for reform.
On October 14, protesters surrounded the royal convoy carrying Queen Suthida and Prince Dipangkorn, holding up a three-fingered emblem to challenge. This is an unprecedented spectacle in Thailand, a monarchy and a royal power with authority in all aspects of society. The Thai king is the most powerful man in the country and is supported by the military and powerful billionaire clans.
Thais are prohibited from speaking negatively about the royal family and face up to 15 years in prison for military offenses. However, more and more people are showing actions and words against the royal family, despite this law.
In fact, Thailand remains in a declared state of emergency to control the spread of Covid-19. However, a government spokesman said the emergency decree was necessary “to guarantee peace and order and prevent further incidents after the protesters hit the royal convoy, contrary to the monarchy with provocative language.”
The opposition party Move Forward has called for an emergency withdrawal, while saying that the protesters are not obstructing the convoy.
Flee him (Follow guardian, Strait times)
