Thailand cracks down on anti-govt protest with emergency order
BANGKOK: Thailand’s government has issued an emergency order forbidding public gatherings of more than five people as it cracks down on large pro-democracy protests.
The Thai prime minister signed the decree in the early hours of Thursday after a night of protests in the capital Bangkok. Thousands had marched to Government House on Wednesday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government, as well as a new constitution and reforms to the monarchy.
Prayuth signed the Declaration of a Serious Emergency Situation in Bangkok, citing “aggression affecting the state’s stability.” The decree limits the size of public gatherings and puts in place transportation restrictions. It also instructs police and soldiers to resolve the “emergency situation” as instructed by their superiors. Protesters plan to occupy the major Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on Thursday.
Around 15,000 officers were deployed in the city for the demonstrations, police said. Police said they had arrested over 20 activists including protest leaders Anon Nampa and Parit Chiwarak, following the emergency declaration which came into effect on Thursday morning. Anon said in a Facebook post that he had been forced aboard a helicopter by police special forces without a lawyer present.
He was facing sedition charges in the northern province of Chiangmai for a speech he delivered during a protest in August, he said. “This is a violation of my rights and is extremely dangerous for me,” Anon, who is also a human rights lawyer, said in the posting. Anon had earlier urged protesters not to react if police moved in to break up rallies.
“If they really do attack, our shared agreement is to sit still and not argue with them,” Anon said.
“Let’s see if they dare use violence against the people.” Anon told reporters before his arrest that there were several groups of people who were ready to lead the antigovernment movement should he and other leaders be arrested. One of the few protest leaders who has not yet been arrested, Panupong Jadnok, said in a Facebook post that Thursday’s planned protest will still go ahead.
“I’m still safe. Today 4 pm, see you at Ratchaprasong. Don’t be afraid of dictatorial powers,” Panupong said.
Police said they would arrest others who continue to protest on Thursday while security officers had been deployed to the Ratchaprasong intersection. The anti-government activists charge that the prime minister, a former army chief who seized power in a 2014 coup, strictly follows the interests of King Vajiralongkorn and the royal family and see the monarchy as the root of Thailand’s political problems.