Protesters are gathering in Bangkok for the most ambitious rally so far in a pro-democracy campaign that has shaken up the government and Thailand’s conservative establishment.
Pro-democracy protester Panupong Jadnok gestures as he enters the gate to Thammasat University during a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. Protesters gathered Saturday in Bangkok for what was expected to be the biggest rally yet in an ongoing campaign calling for a new election and democratic reforms.
Demonstrators ignored a Thursday night plea from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to cancel the event, which he said risked spreading the coronavirus and derailing recovery of the battered economy.The core demands declared by the protesters in July were the dissolution of parliament with fresh elections, a new constitution and an end to intimidation of political activists.
Their boldness was virtually unprecedented, as the monarchy is considered sacrosanct in Thailand, and any criticism is normally kept private. A lese majeste law calls for a prison sentence of three to 15 years for anyone found guilty of defaming the royal institution. At least 8,000 police are reportedly being deployed for the weekend protest, and prospects for confrontations appear high. Protest organizers have been said they will use Thammasat University and the adjacent field known as Sanam Luang as the rally venue, but so far they have been denied permission to do so.Arrests on charges including sedition for earlier actions have failed to faze the young activists.
The party won the third-highest number of seats in last year’s general election with an anti-establishment stance that attracted younger voters, and it is widely seen as being targeted for its popularity and for being critical of the government and the military.
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