Thai anti-government protesters scale Bangkok monument
15 November, 2020
Thai protesters scaled a Bangkok monument on Saturday (Nov 14) night to unfurl a huge banner scribbled with anti-government slogans and calls to reform the monarchy.
The united states has for months seen massive student-led demonstrations calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Chan-o-cha who rose to power in a 2014 coup in addition to a new constitution and changes to the way the royal family operates.
A crowd of thousands of proved for a carnival-themed rally dubbed "Mob Fest" at the Democracy Monument, a significant intersection in Bangkok.
In the afternoon, high school students and other anti-government demonstrators wrote in marker pens and spray-painted messages on giant white sheets.
A person writes on poster throughout a rally to demand the ouster of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government and reforms in the monarchy in Bangkok, Thailand, November 14, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
"You have already been stealing my bright future," one message said. "Democracy will win."
Bangkok graphic designer Pearl, 25, watched as several protesters used ladders to climb up the 3m-high central turret of the Democracy Monument, as musicians played a drum beat.
"This is a symbolic act of free speech," she told AFP.
People write on poster throughout a rally to call for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government and reforms in the monarchy in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov 14, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun)
Protesters sang a Thai version of Les Miserables' Do You Hear the People Sing? and the crowd raised their hands in three-finger salutes - a pop culture reference to the Hunger Games movies.
The crowd raised their hands in three-finger salutes - a pop culture mention of the Hunger Games movies. (Photo: AFP/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)
Earlier they turned their backs and did the same gesture as the royal motorcade drove past.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida were on the way to open a new train line elsewhere in the town - with a large number of royalist supporters wearing yellow turning out showing support.
In the afternoon angry students calling themselves the Bad Student movement rallied beyond your Thailand education ministry before marching to become listed on the main rally.
They want Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan to resign and staged a fake funeral for him.
"He has didn't reform the education system so he's dead to us," Anna 15, told AFP, as she put flowers into a wooden coffin, next to an image of the minister.
The students are calling for an overhaul of the institution system, curriculum, strict rules, dress codes and standardised haircuts.
Thai authorities deployed 8,000 police to patrol Saturday's protest, which is likely to go until midnight.
Police used water cannon against demonstrators at a rally last Sunday. It had been only the second time such tactics were used.
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