Thai Protests: Demonstrators Rally for More Democracy, Monarchy Reform

Student-led protests against Thailand’s government continue in Bangkok, intensifying a 3-month long movement calling for greater democracy and less power for the monarchy. The protesters are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha and a rewriting of the constitution drafted after a 2014 coup he led that helped him stay on following elections last year. They also want curbs on some powers of the monarchy, such as prohibiting the king from endorsing any coups and revoking restrictive laws that criminalize insults against King Maha Vajiralongkorn and top members of the royal family.

The demonstration is taking place on a route that Vajiralongkorn is expected to use to attend a scheduled event nearby. The protesters have said they will give the passing royal motorcade a three-finger salute -- one of the symbols of the escalating protest movement, which attracted about 50,000 people at a rally last month.

The police arrested 21 protesters and dispersed a group of demonstrators ahead of the Wednesday event, which includes camping outside the main government building until the weekend. Premier Prayuth said Wednesday that he’d continue “working as usual.”

National police spokesman Yingyos Thepjamnong said officers will try to prevent clashes between the anti- and pro-government protesters. The police is also on the lookout for anyone attempting to create chaos among the protesters, according to spokesman Kritsana Pattanacharoen.

School and university students, as well as labor groups and the movement supporters outside of Bangkok, are expected to be at the gathering, according to Parit Chiwarak, one of the organizers who wrote a 10-point demand calling for monarchy reform. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of a 1973 uprising in which dozens of student protesters were killed.

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