Thai activists take a stand against junta

BANGKOK: A group of Thai activists yesterday continued their march in protest of the military regime despite being blocked by hundreds of police and the arrests of four members.

In a rare act of public dissent, about 200 civic activists gathered at a Bangkok university on Saturday to begin their planned 450km walk from Bangkok to the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen.

“We are walking to protest against the (junta’s) power,” said Siriporn Chaipetch, the group’s co-ordinator.

“People no longer have any negotiating power,” Siriporn said. “They (the junta) doesn’t listen to us.” Dubbed the Friendship Walk, the activists hope to meet with locals along the route to listen to their problems stemming from government policies in four areas: health care, food security, community and political rights.

As many as 200 police officers blocked the main door of the university to prevent the activists from leaving on Saturday.

After several hours of negotiation, 36 activists were allowed to begin the walk, said Pranom Somwong, a representative from human rights group Protection International.

Police raided a Buddhist temple early yesterday in the central province of Ayutthaya, where some members of the group stayed.

Four activists were arrested before being released without charge.

“We will continue our walk no matter what. We are not afraid,” Pranom added. Any political gatherings of more than four people have been banned since the military regime came into power in a May 2014 coup.

Many civilians have been put under military detention for defying the junta order. – dpa