Thai anti-government protesters stage major rally in Bangkok

Thai anti-government activists staged a major protest in Bangkok on Wednesday, which was met with a counterdemonstration and a heavy police presence.

Thousands of anti-government protesters had marched to surround Government House on Wednesday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government. Police estimated that 8,000 people took part.
The activists are also demanding a rewrite of the constitution and reform of the monarchy.

Hundreds of rival royalist supporters donning yellow shirts were also nearby to show support for the monarchy. They briefly clashed with the anti-government demonstrators on Wednesday morning but mostly kept apart from them.

Some yellow shirt supporters - a colour associated with the monarchy - had identified themselves as police officers. Images circulated on social media also showed some of them being transported to the protest via government vehicles such as on the back of the city’s garbage trucks.

Police said they have deployed around 15,000 officers for the demonstrations.
Anti-government activists have said they plan to protest until their demands are met or until King Maha Vajiralongkorn orders them to disperse.

The activists had declared that they will spend three days outside Government House where the Prime Minister’s office is located.

Police had blocked several roads where the demonstrations had taken place. The activists had asked police to let them pass through certain routes as they marched towards Government House.

Police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen told reporters that demonstrations within 50 metres of Government House are considered illegal and warned that the protesters were breaking a law that is punishable by up to six months in prison.

Krissana said police estimated that there were around 8,000 protesters by nightfall, however the real number of protesters appeared to be much higher.

On Tuesday, police forcibly arrested activist leader Jatupat Boonpattararaksa and 20 others for allegedly violating a law against public assembly as they prepared for Wednesday’s demonstrations.
- DPA, 14TH 
OCTOBER, 2020