Thai anti-govt protesters stage major rally
BANGKOK: Thai anti-government activists staged a major protest in Bangkok on Wednesday, which was met with a counter demonstration and a heavy police presence.
Thousands of anti-government protesters were marching towards Government House on Wednesday afternoon to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha’s government. The activists are also demanding a rewrite of the constitution and reform of the monarchy.
Hundreds of rival royalist supporters donning yellow shirts were also nearby to show support for the monarchy. They briefly clashed with the anti-government demonstrators on Wednesday morning but mostly kept apart from them. Police said they have deployed around 15,000 officers for the demonstrations.
Anti-government activists have said they plan to camp out at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok until their demands are met or until King Vajiralongkorn orders them to disperse.
Police have also blocked several roads where the demonstrations are taking place. Activists have asked police to let them pass through certain routes for their march towards Government House. A royal motorcade is also expected to travel through the area on Wednesday.
Anon Nampa, a leading member of the anti-government movement, told protesters not to use offensive words if they see the royal motorca debut to raise a three-finger salute, a gesture of defiance towards totalitarian regimes borrowed from the “Hunger Games” film franchise.
The anti-government activists charge that Prayuth, a former army chief who seized power in a 2014 coup, strictly follows the interests of Vajiralongkorn and the royal family and see the monarchy as the root of Thailand’s political problems.
“This could be the last fight for Thailand’s democracy,” said 18-yearold Attaporn, who travelled from the kingdom’s northern Pichit province to join the rally.
“I have to do this if I want a better future.”
The youth-led pro-democracy movement is the latest in Thailand’s modern history, which has seen a cycle of opposing political factions taking to the streets in violent protests followed by coups from a putsch-happy army.
Wednesday’s demonstration is intended to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 student uprising against a hated military dictatorship during which 77 people were killed.