THAILAND
Show of force between pro-democracy protesters, royalists in Bangkok
Issued on: 14/10/2020 -
Issued on: 14/10/2020 -
Pro-democracy activists have staged nationwide rallies since July, demanding reform in Thailand Lillian SUWANRUMPHA AFP
Bangkok (AFP)
Thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok rallied in front of a massive crowd out in force to show support for the Thai king on Wednesday as tensions rose over a burgeoning youth-led protest movement calling for democratic reforms.
Student activists have staged large rallies in recent months demanding the resignation of Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief who first rose to power in a coup six years ago.
Some have also demanded reforms to the kingdom's powerful monarchy -- a move that has prompted a backlash from Thailand's staunchly pro-royalist establishment.
A protest at the capital's Democracy Monument was brought forward by activists worried about potential clashes with royalist groups, who started gathering around the area ahead of a scheduled royal motorcade ferrying King Maha Vajiralongkorn later in the afternoon.
"There will be provocations from the other side so please trust in me -- we don't want to clash with anyone," said Anon Numpa, a prominent activist. "When the royal motorcade arrives, don't utter swear words."
Most protesters ultimately left the scene and started marching to nearby Government House two hours before the monarch and his wife were due to drive by.
Gathered along the motorcade route were thousands of others dressed in yellow shirts -- the king's colours -- who said they were hoping to catch a glimpse of the monarch later.
Some had been ferried into the area in organised trucks and the crowd was massed in numbers that appeared to rival the size of the anti-government demonstrators.
Protesters linked arms and marched away chanting "Prayut, get out!" and "Long live the people!" as the royalist group shouted insults at the crowd.
"We want to show that we love the king," said 47-year-old Sirilak Kasemsawat, who accused the pro-democracy movement of wanting to "overthrow" the monarchy.
Activists have repeatedly denied that charge, saying they wish only to "adapt" it for modern times.
Their demands include the abolition of a strict royal defamation law -- which shields the king from criticism -- and for the monarch to stay out of the country's turbulent politics.
More than 5,000 anti-government protesters had gathered by afternoon, authorities say, though a count on the ground by AFP reporters estimated double that amount.
More than 15,000 police were deployed to control the situation.
- 'I want a better future' -
The gathering comes a day after police clashed with protesters staging an impromptu rally at the same site, arresting 21 activists in an attempt to clear the area for an earlier royal motorcade.
Dozens of remaining protesters raised a three-finger salute as the royal motorcade drove by on Tuesday, a gesture of defiance the pro-democracy movement has borrowed from the popular "Hunger Games" films.
The movement is the latest of several pro-democracy coalitions to appear in the turbulent modern history of Thailand, which has endured long bouts of political unrest and more than a dozen successful military coups.
The army has long positioned itself as the sole defender of the ultra-wealthy king, whose influence permeates every aspect of Thai society.
Wednesday's demonstration is intended to commemorate the 47th anniversary of a 1973 student uprising against a hated military dictatorship that saw 77 people killed.
"This could be the last fight for Thailand's democracy," said 18-year-old Attaporn, who travelled from the kingdom's northern Pichit province to join the rally.
"I have to do this if I want a better future."
Dozens of anti-government activists have been arrested, charged with sedition, and released on bail since July.
But he added that the student-led movement appeared disorganised and seemed to be struggling to articulate a clear and singular objective.
"The protest movement requires more time and public persuasion that reform and change are needed," he told AFP.
Bangkok (AFP)
Thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok rallied in front of a massive crowd out in force to show support for the Thai king on Wednesday as tensions rose over a burgeoning youth-led protest movement calling for democratic reforms.
Student activists have staged large rallies in recent months demanding the resignation of Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief who first rose to power in a coup six years ago.
Some have also demanded reforms to the kingdom's powerful monarchy -- a move that has prompted a backlash from Thailand's staunchly pro-royalist establishment.
A protest at the capital's Democracy Monument was brought forward by activists worried about potential clashes with royalist groups, who started gathering around the area ahead of a scheduled royal motorcade ferrying King Maha Vajiralongkorn later in the afternoon.
"There will be provocations from the other side so please trust in me -- we don't want to clash with anyone," said Anon Numpa, a prominent activist. "When the royal motorcade arrives, don't utter swear words."
Most protesters ultimately left the scene and started marching to nearby Government House two hours before the monarch and his wife were due to drive by.
Gathered along the motorcade route were thousands of others dressed in yellow shirts -- the king's colours -- who said they were hoping to catch a glimpse of the monarch later.
Some had been ferried into the area in organised trucks and the crowd was massed in numbers that appeared to rival the size of the anti-government demonstrators.
Protesters linked arms and marched away chanting "Prayut, get out!" and "Long live the people!" as the royalist group shouted insults at the crowd.
"We want to show that we love the king," said 47-year-old Sirilak Kasemsawat, who accused the pro-democracy movement of wanting to "overthrow" the monarchy.
Activists have repeatedly denied that charge, saying they wish only to "adapt" it for modern times.
Their demands include the abolition of a strict royal defamation law -- which shields the king from criticism -- and for the monarch to stay out of the country's turbulent politics.
More than 5,000 anti-government protesters had gathered by afternoon, authorities say, though a count on the ground by AFP reporters estimated double that amount.
More than 15,000 police were deployed to control the situation.
- 'I want a better future' -
The gathering comes a day after police clashed with protesters staging an impromptu rally at the same site, arresting 21 activists in an attempt to clear the area for an earlier royal motorcade.
Dozens of remaining protesters raised a three-finger salute as the royal motorcade drove by on Tuesday, a gesture of defiance the pro-democracy movement has borrowed from the popular "Hunger Games" films.
The movement is the latest of several pro-democracy coalitions to appear in the turbulent modern history of Thailand, which has endured long bouts of political unrest and more than a dozen successful military coups.
The army has long positioned itself as the sole defender of the ultra-wealthy king, whose influence permeates every aspect of Thai society.
Wednesday's demonstration is intended to commemorate the 47th anniversary of a 1973 student uprising against a hated military dictatorship that saw 77 people killed.
"This could be the last fight for Thailand's democracy," said 18-year-old Attaporn, who travelled from the kingdom's northern Pichit province to join the rally.
"I have to do this if I want a better future."
Dozens of anti-government activists have been arrested, charged with sedition, and released on bail since July.
But he added that the student-led movement appeared disorganised and seemed to be struggling to articulate a clear and singular objective.
"The protest movement requires more time and public persuasion that reform and change are needed," he told AFP.
Thai activists hoping to keep up the momentum in their campaign for democratic change launched a third major rally in Bangkok on Wednesday, amid concerns about a possible confrontation with police or rival groups supporting the government.
Issued on: 14/10/2020 - 09:08
Royalist supporters gather near pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok on October 14, 2020. AFP - MLADEN ANTONOV
Text by:NEWS WIRES
Thai anti-government protesters and royalist supporters of King Maha Vajiralongkorn staged rival shows of force on either side of a Bangkok street on Wednesday with political tension growing after three months of demonstrations.
Several hundred protesters at the Democracy Monument repeated their call for the departure of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and a new constitution. They gave their trademark three-finger salute.
Just a couple of dozen metres away, hundreds of royalists assembled with members of security forces - all of them clad in the royal yellow colour - hours before a royal motorcade was due to pass along the road.
Despite one brief fistfight, the two sides largely kept apart, but the standoff revived fears of trouble in a country that suffered a decade of street violence between supporters and opponents of the establishment before a 2014 coup.
Royalist leader Buddha Issara said the protesters could demand democracy, but must not call for reforms of the monarchy, as some have done
"They must not touch on the institution," he told reporters.
"We will not accept any booing or raising three or four fingers during the motorcade as well."
Protesters made a rare direct challenge to the king on Tuesday, chanting at his passing convoy after 21 activists were arrested during scuffles with police. Police said detainees would be charged with public order offences on Wednesday.
The protests have become the greatest challenge in years to a ruling establishment dominated by the army and the palace.
"We are out here to fight, with respect to all the people as well as the monarchy," protest leader Anon Nampa told the protesters. "We're out here to call for a reform to the institution to better the country."
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said police had been told to avoid needless confrontation. Police said nearly 15,000 officers had been deployed to keep order.
The royal palace has not responded to any requests for comment on the protests or the protesters' demands.
Trucks offload royalist supporters
Pro-royalist demonstrations have been small, compared with the tens of thousands who joined the biggest anti-government demonstration in September, but Wednesday's gathering of royalists was much bigger.
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Bangkok city trucks offloaded hundreds of royalists, many with flags and pictures of the king.
"The establishment in Thailand plays a very dangerous game, mobilizing state security forces and ultra-royalist groups to confront with the pro-democracy demonstrators," said Prajak Kongkirati, a law professor at Thammasat University.
Among the anti-government protesters' demands are for curbs on the constitutional powers of the king and for him to transfer back the personal control he took of some army units and a palace fortune valued in the tens of billions of dollars.
(REUTERS)
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