Anti-government protesters plan to defy a ban on gatherings in Thailand’s capital for a third day and hold rallies across the nation, escalating a three-month-old movement in support of monarchy reform and greater democracy.
Pro-democracy protesters will return to stage a demonstration in Bangkok today after tens of thousands of them defied an emergency declared by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha on Thursday to quell the escalating demonstrations. Parit Chiwarak, arrested during the demonstration near the premier’s office on Wednesday, urged his supporters to “keep staging protests” until their demands are met.
Protesters shouting “Prayuth get out” occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection in the middle of Bangkok’s main shopping district for several hours on Thursday, demanding the release of leaders arrested by the police in a morning raid. The crowds swelled throughout the evening before dispersing around 10 p.m. The large crowd indicate the protests are unlikely to abate despite the arrest of key leaders and the government’s move to ban gatherings of five or more people.
The protests, led at first mostly by students, have broken taboos about publicly criticizing the royal family, which sits at the apex of power in Thailand. Demonstrators have questioned taxpayer funds that go toward royal affairs as well as laws that stifle discussion of the monarchy.
On Friday, Parit asked his supporters to organize protests at “several locations around Bangkok and in every province” of the country. In a letter from his jail, he told activists “don’t stay overnight so the group can be more flexible” to stage demonstrations every day.
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. The government has said it’s open to changes in some areas, but a process to rewrite the constitution has been delayed in parliament.
“The state of emergency will likely fuel the movement that’s already gaining momentum”, “The protesters will likely continue their movement because they’re upset that the government isn’t listening to their demand.” says a protestor.