Protesters swarm police HQ demanding Thai reforms
THOUSANDS of pro-democracy demonstrators descended on Thailand’s police headquarters in Bangkok yesterday for a second day of mass protests, after six people were shot and 55 injured earlier this week.
Led by a Buddhist monk, a clown and a team of giant inflatable ducks, around 10,000 protesters marched from the Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district to the heavily guarded police HQ, where some fired water guns and threw bottles and paint bombs at the walls.
Since July they have been demanding the resignation of Prayuth Chan-ocha, the prime minister, and for the role of King Maha Vajiralongkorn to become more clearly accountable.
The day before, they gathered outside the parliament to put pressure on politicians to make changes to the constitution, but the rally ended in chaos as they clashed with royalists and the police turned irritant-laced water cannons and tear gas on them.
Yesterday, many came equipped with helmets, goggles and gas masks for protection but the protest ended peacefully with a call for another demonstration next Wednesday.
Bangkok’s Erawan Medical Centre said of 55 people injured, at least 32 were suffering the effects of tear gas and six people had gunshot wounds. Police denied using live ammunition and were looking into who opened fire.
Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, one of the protest leaders, urged crowds at the gates of the parliament to continue rallying. “I hereby announce the escalation of the protests. We will not give in. There will be no compromise,” he said.
Politicians have been discussing constitutional change, but not to the power of the monarchy or the senate structure, which reserves seats for the military.