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THAILAND-POLITICS
Thai PM downplays democracy movement’s spread to schools
BANGKOK, Aug 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Thailand’s premier on Tuesday played
down the spread of the country’s democracy movement to high schools where
students have been raising a three-fingered salute as a protest symbol
against the military-aligned government.
The country has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by university
students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and a
frank discussion of the role of the unassailable monarchy.
Their demands have gained traction among a broad demographic and a protest
in Bangkok on Sunday drew more than 10,000 people — the largest political
gathering since former military chief Prayut came to power in a 2014 coup.
This week the movement has taken hold in high schools where teenagers have
been holding up three fingers each morning as the national anthem plays,
according to Twitter posts with the hashtag #badstudent that have gone viral.
“All I see are the innocent intentions of the students,” premier Prayut
said Tuesday, claiming the youngsters were being peer-pressured into joining.
“I heard from students that some don’t want to join but they are being
bullied.”
Protesters are calling for an overhaul of Prayut’s government, a rewrite
of the constitution and the abolition of a controversial royal defamation
law.
The law shields Thailand’s super-rich King Maha Vajiralongkorn from
criticism and carries a sentence of up to 15 years in jail per charge.
After Sunday’s massive protest, the hashtag campaign “Tie a white bow
against the dictator” started trending on Twitter.
Images of high school students with white ribbons on their hair, wrists
and backpacks proliferated.
But there have also been allegations of intimidation and harassment of
pupils levelled against school staff and plainclothes police.
The United Nations agency overseeing child rights on Tuesday issued a
statement voicing “concern” about the “potential harm” children could be
facing.
“UNICEF urges all actors to ensure that children and young people… are
able to voice their opinions peacefully about issues that affect their
present and future, without fear or intimidation,” the statement said.
National Police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen called the allegations
of harassment “rumour” but encouraged students to file any legal grievances.
“If there is strong evidence… you are entitled to bring legal action
against them,” he told AFP.
Legal aid group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights issued an online form
encouraging students to lodge complaints anonymously.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1535 hrs