THOUSANDS CHANT ‘DOWN WITH DICTATORSHIP’
BANGKOK Thousands of Thai protesters chanting “down with dictatorship” and “the country belongs to the people” joined an anti-government demonstration in Bangkok on Sunday that was one of the biggest since a 2014 coup.
Students have organized protests almost daily for the past month, but the latest drew wider support for the demands for the departure of former junta leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha’s government, a new constitution and an end to harassing opposition activists.
Some students have also called for reform of the monarchy — once a taboo subject.
“We want a new election and a new parliament from the people,” student activist Patsalawalee Tanakitwiboonpon, 24, told the cheering crowd at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument. “Lastly, our dream is to have a monarchy which is truly under the constitution.”
Prayuth won elections last year that the opposition says were held under rules to ensure that he kept power. The most vocal opposition party was subsequently banned.
Anger has further been fuelled by accusations of corruption, the arrest of some student leaders over earlier protests and the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.
Students have presented 10 reforms they seek to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn — including curbing his powers over the constitution, the royal fortune and the armed forces.
Thailand’s lese majeste law sets a penalty of up to 15 years for criticizing the monarchy, but Prayuth has said the king requested that it not be used for now.