Thai protesters defy police and rally in Bangkok for royal reforms
25 March, 2021
Greater than a thousand Thai protesters took above a significant Bangkok intersection in Wednesday (Mar 24), defying authorities in the initially major rally since law enforcement used rubber bullets against demonstrators more than the weekend.
Thailand's protest activity kicked off in July, calling for the resignation of Primary Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's authorities and a rewrite of a military-scripted constitution.
But the most controversial demand is to reform the untouchable monarchy, including the abolition of the kingdom's draconian royal defamation regulations.
So far a lot more than 70 protesters and pupil leaders have been charged for allegedly insulting the monarchy and in regards to a dozen are remanded in prison.
If convicted, they confront 15 years in jail per charge.
On Wednesday, protesters gathered in Bangkok's main looking district, chanting "release our friends" and "abolish 112" - a mention of the lese majeste legislation in Thailand's criminal code that shields the monarchy from criticism.
A good stage in the middle of the street had a huge banner that read "Monarchy reform" while ratings of demonstrators held images of detainees and glued them onto street signs.
"No matter just how many of our friends are arrested - 10 or perhaps 100 - we won't stop developing," Benja Apan, among the protest leaders facing many royal defamation charges, told the crowd.
"It cannot stop our spirit. We will attack together. It'll be good if our friends could be out fighting as well as us."
Much police presence, including riot squads, was building in the vicinity in the first evening.
Ahead of the rally, National Police deputy spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen warned the protest was illegal because of coronavirus limitations and officers would "enforce the law step-by-step".
On Saturday, Thai police used water cannon and rubber bullets external Bangkok's Grand Palace after demonstrators broke through a barricade of shipment containers.
Twenty protesters and 13 cops were injured found in the clash, according to an area emergency center, while authorities said 20 people were arrested and seven have already been charged with lese majeste.
Bangkok artist Chanaradee, 26 - who arrived Wednesday to the Ratchaprasong intersection - said she wasn't defer by the police tactics.
Instead, she actually is angry about the "brutal" escalating utilization of force because her 70-year-old daddy was injured while operating from rubber bullets.
"I'm incredibly disappointed and sad. My father went to the mob by itself (on Saturday) ... he harm himself. He fell over," she told AFP.
She added that her dad had been getting involved in demonstrations since 1973, the year of a massive student uprising against a army dictator.
The fact "he still must do it (today) reveals Thailand is not heading anywhere," Chanaradee said, though she added that those in the pro-democracy movement today will be able to speak about royal reforms.
"We are making progress. It is important we stay hopeful."
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