Thai pro-democracy protesters who last year broke a long-standing taboo by publicly criticizing the country’s monarchy returned to the streets Wednesday to defiantly repeat their calls for reform of the royal institution.
The rally in the middle of a Bangkok shopping district was called by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, a faction of a broader protest movement that started last year and has three core demands: the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government, for the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic and the monarchy to be reformed to make it more accountable.
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Thai pro-democracy protesters who last year broke a long-standing taboo by publicly criticizing the country’s monarchy returned to the streets Wednesday to defiantly repeat their calls for reform of the royal institution.
Several activists involved with the protests have already been jailed as they await trial on charges of violating Thailand's lese majeste law, which makes criticizing, insulting or defaming the king or other key royals punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a legal assistance group, at least 76 people, including six minors, have been charged with violating the lese majeste law since last November, when the government began cracking down on the protest movement.
Pro-democracy activists flash a three-fingered symbol of resistance during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A pro-democracy supporter with his face painted with "Stop 112", describing the section in the Thai criminal code for lese majesty laws, participates in a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A yellow toy duck, a recent symbol of pro-democracy protesters, has a scarf with a message attached during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of an indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. Message translates as "Prayuth get out, the constitution to be amended, the monarchy's reform." (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Pro-democracy activists display placards during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
It is the latter demand that has rattled Thailand’s traditional establishment, which is fiercely opposed to change, especially with regard to the monarchy.
A pro-democracy supporter wears a face mask with the sign "no 112", denouncing a section in the Thai criminal code for lese majesty laws as she participates in a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of an indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Several activists involved with the protests have already been jailed as they await trial on charges of violating Thailand's lese majeste law, which makes criticizing, insulting or defaming the king or other key royals punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
One of those facing charges, Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, gave a fiery speech Wednesday from a small stage on which was hung a large black banner saying “Reform the Monarchy.” Her speech repeated sharp criticism of the monarchy touching on financial and political aspects.
The rally was held a day before prosecutors are to decide whether to accept sedition and lese majeste cases against Patsaravalee and 12 other protesters. Eight other protesters already were charged with lese majeste over the past month and are being held in pretrial detention without bail.
Pro-democracy activists flash a three-fingered symbol of resistance during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a legal assistance group, at least 76 people, including six minors, have been charged with violating the lese majeste law since last November, when the government began cracking down on the protest movement.
Wednesday's rally ended peacefully, unlike several other protests this year that ended with violent confrontations with police. On Saturday police used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to break up a rally near Bangkok's Grand Palace, leaving more than 30 injured and at least 32 detained.
Pro-democracy activists flash a three-fingered symbol or resistance during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Pro-democracy activists flash a three-fingered symbol of resistance during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A pro-democracy supporter with his face painted with "Stop 112", describing the section in the Thai criminal code for lese majesty laws, participates in a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
A yellow toy duck, a recent symbol of pro-democracy protesters, has a scarf with a message attached during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of an indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. Message translates as "Prayuth get out, the constitution to be amended, the monarchy's reform." (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
Pro-democracy activists display placards during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, ahead of indictment against 13 protest leaders on Thursday for allegations of sedition and defaming the monarchy. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)