Thailand: Demonstrators in Bangkok: “Free our friends”

Several thousand demonstrators gathered Thursday evening in central Bangkok, defying an emergency decree issued in the morning to end the protest movement that dares to challenge the powerful monarchy.

“Free our friends,” shouted activists as several leaders of the pro-democracy movement were arrested a few hours earlier.

A police officer read to the crowd, nearly 3,000 demonstrators according to an AFP estimate, the emergency decree which prohibits all political gatherings of more than four people, explaining that legal actions could be taken.

Several of the capital’s famous shopping malls near the rally have been closed and military personnel have been deployed around government buildings.

“I’m taking a risk for my safety, but I still wanted to be there. The crowd will protect me, ”Khamin, a 20-year-old student, told AFP.

“I am here because the Prime Minister, a soldier, does not understand anything about the economy” of the kingdom, very dependent on tourism and in the midst of a recession since the coronavirus pandemic, for his part noted Korikat, a 50-year-old engineer.

The authorities on Thursday toughened their tone against the pro-democracy movement that has been parading for several months in the country.

They promulgated this emergency decree which, in addition to the ban on political gatherings, proscribes “online messages that could harm national security” or “engender fear”.

The government justified this turn of the screw by evoking demonstrations “contrary to the Constitution”.

He also denounced the obstruction of a royal procession by protesters on Wednesday, on the sidelines of a rally that brought together several thousand people in front of the Government House in Bangkok.

More than 20 people were arrested on Thursday. Among them, Parit Chivarak known as “Penguin” and Anon Numpa, two of the most virulent leaders against the monarchy.