Hundreds gather in Bangkok to issue ultimatum to government

Hundreds gathered at a Bangkok university on Saturday to deliver an ultimatum to Thailand’s military government, the latest in a series of anti-government demonstrations that began earlier this year.

Thailand has been under military rule since a May 2014 coup which the army said was necessary to restore order after months of pro and anti-government protests.

The military had vowed to bring stability and reform what it said was Thailand’s corrupt political system.

Four years on, critics say the country remains deeply divided and that the junta has failed to deliver on some of its promises.

And international organisations including the United Nations say freedom of assembly and speech have suf- fered huge setbacks under military rule.

The military has defended its hardline tactics saying it needs to maintain national security before a general election.

The government, led by former army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, has repeatedly delayed elections with the latest date now set for February 2019.

On Saturday, more than 500 demonstrators gathered at Thammasat University and gave the junta, known formally as the National Council for Peace and Order, until 22 May to meet their three demands.

The protesters are calling for an election to take place by November, said Rangsiman Rome, one of the group’s leaders.

They are also asking for the junta to step down and for soldiers to return to their barracks.