Police in the Thai capital used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets Saturday night to break up a rally by pro-democracy protesters calling for the release of detained activists, constitutional changes and reform of the nation's monarchy.
The rally held outside Bangkok's Grand Palace was a continuation of student-led protests that began last year and have rattled Thailand's traditional establishment, which is fiercely opposed to change, especially with regard to the monarchy.
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Police in the Thai capital used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets Saturday night to break up a rally by pro-democracy protesters calling for the release of detained activists, constitutional changes and reform of the nation's monarchy.
The demonstrators, who numbered close to 1,000, managed to break through a barrier made of shipping containers outside the ceremonial palace stacked two high. Police behind the containers responded first with warnings and then by shooting water cannons and rubber bullets. Police drove the crowd back and while skirmishes continued, the crowds appeared to have dissipated by 10 p.m.
Kissana said police had warned in advance that the rally was illegal, but the demonstrators proceeded anyway. He said in addition to throwing various objects, they used slingshots to fire nuts and bolts at police and hit them with metal rods. He said police had used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets according to proper procedures.
The movement sharpened its campaign to focus on the monarchy, and Thailand's lese majeste law, which makes criticizing, insulting or defaming the king and some other senior royals punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The movement was able to attract crowds of as many as 20,000-30,000 people in Bangkok in 2020 and had followings in major cities and universities. However, a new coronavirus outbreak late last year caused it to temporarily suspend activities, and it lost momentum.
A protester holds up a sign in front of riot police Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Protesters use laser lights after they were dispersed by riot police Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A man clashes with riot police during dispersal of protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Riot police stand together during dispersal of protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A security officer walks in front of shipping containers used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A man prepares to release a kite with an image of detained activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul which will be flown during a protest on the Sanam Luang grounds near the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Security personnel untangle razor wire to be placed in front of shipping containers used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A woman holds a kite with an image of detained activist Parit Chiwarak which will be flown over the Sanam Luang grounds during a protest near the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Protesters pull down a shipping container used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Police security use water cannons to disperse protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
The rally organizers had said they planned to have demonstrators throw paper planes with messages over the palace walls.
Sparks fly from the barrel of a gun used by riot police to disperse protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
The demonstrators, who numbered close to 1,000, managed to break through a barrier made of shipping containers outside the ceremonial palace stacked two high. Police behind the containers responded first with warnings and then by shooting water cannons and rubber bullets. Police drove the crowd back and while skirmishes continued, the crowds appeared to have dissipated by 10 p.m.
During the skirmishes, protesters tossed smoke bombs and giant firecrackers at police, and also splashed a royal portrait with paint, but failed in an attempt to set it on fire, though they did burn tires and trash at several locations.
Police Deputy Spokesman Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen said at least six police officers were injured and around five protesters detained. The city's Erawan emergency services said 11 people in all had been sent to hospitals.
People run after riot police dispersing protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Kissana said police had warned in advance that the rally was illegal, but the demonstrators proceeded anyway. He said in addition to throwing various objects, they used slingshots to fire nuts and bolts at police and hit them with metal rods. He said police had used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets according to proper procedures.
The rally was called by REDEM, a faction of a broader protest movement last year that started with three core demands: that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government to step down, the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic and the monarchy to be reformed to make it more accountable.
REDEM, which stands for Restart Democracy, claims to have no leaders and holds online voting to decide on rally dates and activities.
Police security use water cannons to disperse protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, Mar. 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
The movement sharpened its campaign to focus on the monarchy, and Thailand's lese majeste law, which makes criticizing, insulting or defaming the king and some other senior royals punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The monarchy has long been treated as sacred institution in Thailand and public criticism is not only illegal, but has long been considered socially unacceptable. Many people still revere the monarchy and the military, a major power in Thai society, considers defense of the monarchy as a key priority.
As protesters last year stepped up criticism of the monarchy, the government responded by charging outspoken protesters under the lese majeste law, and over the last month, eight of them were jailed pending trial.
A riot policeman advances towards a man kneeling on the road after the dispersal of protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
The movement was able to attract crowds of as many as 20,000-30,000 people in Bangkok in 2020 and had followings in major cities and universities. However, a new coronavirus outbreak late last year caused it to temporarily suspend activities, and it lost momentum.
Riot police stand in formation preparing to disperse protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, Mar. 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A protester holds up a sign in front of riot police Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Protesters use laser lights after they were dispersed by riot police Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A man clashes with riot police during dispersal of protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Riot police stand together during dispersal of protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A security officer walks in front of shipping containers used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A man prepares to release a kite with an image of detained activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul which will be flown during a protest on the Sanam Luang grounds near the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Security personnel untangle razor wire to be placed in front of shipping containers used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A woman holds a kite with an image of detained activist Parit Chiwarak which will be flown over the Sanam Luang grounds during a protest near the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Protesters pull down a shipping container used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Police security use water cannons to disperse protesters who removed container vans used as a barricade in front of the Grand Palace Saturday, March 20, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's student-led pro-democracy movement is holding a rally in the Thai capital, seeking to press demands that include freedom for their leaders, who are being held without bail on charges of defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)