Thai protesters march to barracks against king's military power
30 November, 2020
Thousands of anti-federal government Thai protesters marched to an army barracks on Sunday (Nov 29) to task King Maha Vajiralongkorn's personal control above some army units.
It was the most recent action of defiance against the king by protesters who've broken taboos by criticizing the monarchy. The Thai constitution says the monarchy must be revered and regulations ban insulting the organization.
Protesters, many carrying inflatable ducks that have become a protest mascot, stopped at the gates of the 11th Infantry Regiment, the main King's Guard that played a job found in the suppression of anti-establishment protests in 2010 2010.
Lines of riot police blocked protesters at the gate.
"No democratic country sees a king control a great army. In virtually any democratic nation with a king as brain of state, military report to the federal government," explained Arnon Nampa, a privileges lawyer and protest head who is a consistent critic of the monarchy.
"We've been seeing the monarchy growing its powers. That’s why we're here today."
The Royal Palace has made no comment since protests began, however the king himself said recently that protesters are cherished "yet" despite their actions.
Protesters accuse the monarchy of enabling years of military domination. There have been 13 effective coups since 1932, when absolute rule by the monarch found an end.
Protests started in July and in the beginning demanded the departure of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, a good former military head, and a fresh constitution. Demonstrators have expanded their demands since that time to include curbs on the powers of the king.
Arnon is among countless protest leaders facing costs under lese majeste regulations against insulting the monarchy after speeches he made in previous rallies.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Thailand honored the rule of law and the proper to freedom of speech must stay within those boundaries.
"In every circumstance where the laws is violated, officials do something with strict adherence to the correct legal functions without discrimination," the ministry stated.
The prime minister has dismissed demands that he quit and rejected accusations that he engineered previous year's election to retain power after taking office in 2014.
Video shared on public media showed soldiers taking down a giant picture of the king and queen in the entrance to the barracks prior to the protest.
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