Thais defy emergency declaration
Angry demonstrators take to the streets despite state of emergency, speak out against the govt and the monarchy
BANGKOK: Thousands of antigovernment protesters staged a rally for a second straight day in Thailand’s capital, defying a state of emergency declared by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha to quell escalating demonstrations in support of monarchy reform and greater democracy.
Protesters shouting “Prayuth get out” gathered at Ratchaprasong intersection in the middle of Bangkok’s main shopping district and pushed police barricades, demanding the release of leaders arrested by the police in a morning raid.
The location, in front of Central World shopping mall, was the site of demonstrations in 2010 that ended with a clearance operation in which scores of people were killed.
The fresh demonstration comes a day after tens of thousands of protesters broke through police lines in a march to Government House, Prayuth’s office, in an escalation of demonstrations that began in early July. Some protesters gave a three-finger salute - a symbol of the demonstrations - to a motorcade of Queen Suthida Bajrasud-habimalalakshana, who smiled and waved at them.
Those arrested included Arnon Nampa and Parit Chiwarak, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Parit had written a statement calling for reform of the monarchy with 10 demands, including prohibiting the king from endorsing any coups and revoking laws that criminalise insults against King Maha Vajiralongkorn and members of the royal family.
“The state of emergency will likely fuel the movement that’s already gaining momentum,” said Punchada Sirivunnabood, an associate professor of politics at Mahidol University near Bangkok. “The protesters will likely continue their movement because they’re upset that the government isn’t listening to their demand.”
Gatherings banned
On Wednesday night, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said legal actions would be taken against protesters who disrespected the monarchy - one of the first official responses that directly referenced the criticisms of the palace. Prayuth also announced a so-called “Declaration of a Serious Emergency Situation in Bangkok”, banning gatherings of five or more people and allowing for the arrest of anyone violating the rules. It also banned reporting and publication of news that could “harm national security” and “cause panic”.
A special cabinet meeting on Friday will approve the emergency decree, Anucha said on Thursday. The latest measures are in addition to a national emergency in place since the end of March to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak, which allows the government to enforce mandatory quarantines and streamline disease-control plans without multiple approvals.
The protests in the capital “may lead to more violence, affecting the economy and safety of the people” and hurting the nation’s ability to control coronavirus infections, according to a notification signed by Prayuth early on Thursday.
Prayuth said the government was ready to open public forums for the protesters “but everything has to be done under the law”. “The majority will have to listen to the minority, and the minority will have to respect different opinions too,” he said.
The protests, led mostly by students, have broken taboos about publicly criticising the royal family, which sits at the apex of power in Thailand. Demonstrators have questioned taxpayer funds that go towards royal affairs and laws that stifle discussion of the monarchy.
The protesters are also calling for the resignation of Prayuth, a former army chief who staged a coup in 2014.
They are pushing to rewrite the constitution drafted by a military-appointed panel that helped him stay on following elections last year.