Thousands of Thai protesters call for removal of Prime Minister

Bangkok, November 14

Thousands of individuals protested in Bangkok on Saturday within the newest in months of anti-government demonstrations which have additionally known as for reforms to Thailand’s highly effective monarchy.

A number of kilometres away, 1000’s of royalists gathered in yellow shirts and waved Thai flags as they waited to greet King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who was anticipated to attend a neighborhood occasion.

The preliminary focus of protests that started in July was to hunt the elimination of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta chief.

“Not only is he incompetent, but he also lacks legitimacy,” activist Sombat Boonngamanong mentioned from loudspeakers on the again of a truck carrying a pirate hat. “Thailand has not progressed because of Prayuth,” he mentioned.

Some 2,500 protesters gathered at Democracy Monument in Bangkok, based on police, placing on songs and dances mocking the federal government.

Prayuth’s authorities holds the bulk in parliament as a result of his junta picked your entire higher home earlier than an election final yr that opponents say was designed to maintain him in energy. He says the vote was truthful.

Police mentioned they’d not use violence to crack down on demonstrators and deployed 5,100 troops to take care of order. But final week 1000’s had been met with water cannons after they marched to the Grand Palace to demand curbs to the monarchy’s energy.

Two kilometres away, 1000’s of royalists waited for the king’s arrival the place he was as a result of attend the opening ceremony of a subway station. Protesters mentioned they’d flip their again when the Royal Motorcade handed.

Demonstrators have more and more known as for reforms to the highly effective monarchy, breaking a long-standing taboo towards criticising the establishment.

“Some people want to bring him down, but we have come out to support him and show that all Thai people love him,” mentioned Donnapha Kladbupha.

The Royal Palace was not out there for remark. It has not commented for the reason that begin of the protests, however the king mentioned two weeks in the past that the protesters had been nonetheless beloved and that Thailand was a land of compromise.

Criticism of the monarchy could be punished with 15 years in jail underneath Thailand’s lese majeste legal guidelines but it surely has develop into widespread in latest weeks. Reuters