Thousands of Thai rivals plan political ‘exercises’

BANGKOK: More than 10,000 people have registered for a “Run Against Dictatorship” in Bangkok next month while supporters of the Thai government plan to stage a rival walk on the same day, organisers said.

The twin events, set for Jan 12, point to the rising political temperature in Thailand, though there is no immediate sign of any return to the violent street protests that have roiled the Thai capital over the past two decades.

Opponents of the government say it manipulated an election held in March to extend the rule of junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha and they now fear that authorities will move to dissolve the vocal opposition party Future Forward.

“We want to show the government the discontent that citizens have with the administration,” university student Tanawat Wongchai, who is helping organise the anti-government event, said.

The rival event is called “Walk to

Cheer Uncle” – a reference to Prayut’s nickname of Uncle Tu. Organisers say some 2,500 people have registered to take part.

“This event is for the public, for all of us, in the name of the people who love Uncle, love the nation and the monarchy,” its Facebook page says.

The two events will be held on Jan 12 at parks that are 11km apart at overlapping times.

“These events could open the floodgates to more gatherings,” said Ben Kiatkwankul of the Maverick Consulting Group political advisory firm.

On Dec 14, thousands of people joined a rally for opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit after authorities sought a ban on his Future Forward party for violating electoral law – an accusation the party says is unfounded.

Thanathorn has already been banned as a member of parliament.

This month’s rally was the biggest protest since Prayut took power in a 2014 coup. — AFP