Demonstrators light up their smartphones as they gather during a protest demanding the resignation of Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, under a highway in Pathum Thani, at the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, July 23, 2020.
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Holding up messages on their tablets and waving their cellphone torches, hundreds of young protesters rallied on Thursday to demand the Thai the government resign and dissolve parliament, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings.
A network of student groups called “Free Youth” joined forces on the outskirts of Bangkok, voicing a raft of complaints against the year-old civilian government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army chief who ousted an elected government six years ago.
“We are here to call for a new constitution. Because the current constitution doesn’t support our rights and freedom. It was inherited from the military coup in 2014,” student protester Thanachai Aurlucha, 25, said.
A student who identified herself with the nickname Fufu, 22, said the government had failed to boost the economy. “We’re about to graduate but we don’t know how we will make a living. If I don’t come out today, there will be no future.”
A protester calling himself Ron, 39, said: “I want to call for true democracy in Thailand.” Both declined to give their real names.
Despite officers warning the rally was unlawful for breaking the coronavirus ban, there was no visible police presence near the night-time gathering in which many held three fingers in the air in what has become a symbol of the protests.
Police Say Current Emergency Decree Still Bans Protests
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Anti-government protest in Pathum Thani province on July 23
BANGKOK — A police spokesman on Thursday said political gatherings are still banned under the Emergency Decree until the extension becomes effective next month.
Despite the government’s insistence that the Emergency Decree will no longer be used against public assemblies, Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen said police will continue to gather evidence and press charges against those who were involved with anti-government protests until the end of this month.
“If the gathering takes place now until the end of July, it’s still considered illegal and violators could face two years in prison and a maximum fine of 40,000 baht,” Kissana said. “We need to wait until the decree extension is officially announced.”
He spoke hours before large anti-government gatherings took place in KhonKaen, Pathum Thani, and Pattani provinces, where hundreds of protesters chanted and demanded PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign.
The proposal to extend the decree, which has been extended thrice since it became effective on March 26, was approved by PM Prayut on Wednesday. National Security Council sec-gen Somsak Rungsita said the extension is unrelated to the ongoing protests and the provision banning public assemblies will be removed.
The police spokesman also issued a stern warning to the protesters, saying that they must be within the boundary of the laws.
