ZCZC
BFF-13
THAILAND-POLITICS-ROYALS-UNREST
Thailand issues emergency decree in crackdown on swelling protests
BANGKOK, Oct 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Thailand issued an emergency decree
banning gatherings of more than four people on Thursday as it launched a
crackdown on escalating pro-democracy demonstrations that have also targeted
the unassailable monarchy.
More than 20 people were arrested under the sweeping powers of the decree,
which is aimed at halting months of student-led protests against the
government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the former army chief who
took power in a 2014 coup.
It comes a day after protesters challenged the royal motorcade, flashing
the three-fingered salute adopted from “The Hunger Games” books and films, in
an unprecedented act of defiance against the usually revered monarchy.
After the emergency measures were announced early on Thursday, police in
riot gear moved in to disperse hundreds of diehard protestors who had camped
out overnight outside the prime minister’s office.
Student leader Parit Chiwarak, better known as “Penguin”, was among more
than 20 people arrested, according to Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, another
prominent activist.
A Facebook Live stream later showed Panusaya being bundled into a car by
police as her supporters shouted “Long live the people!” and raised the
“Hunger Games” salute.
The emergency measures limit gatherings to four people and allow the
seizure of “electronic communications equipment, data, and weapons suspected
to cause the emergency situation”, a government spokesman said.
“These are orders banning gatherings of five or more people… and banning
distributing of news through electronic media that can affect national
security,” the spokesman said in a statement.
The order was imposed after thousands of demonstrators rallied around
Bangkok’s Democracy Monument on Wednesday, ahead of a scheduled drive-by of
the royal motorcade carrying King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family.
While police cordoned most of the protesters away from the royal route,
dozens were still present as the motorcade passed and Queen Suthida could be
seen staring from a limousine window as protesters flashed the three-fingered
salute.
– Turbulent history –
Such overt challenges to the monarchy are unheard-of in Thailand, where the
royal family’s influence permeates every aspect of society.
Those calls have prompted a backlash from Thailand’s staunchly pro-royalist
establishment.
The King is the most powerful figure in Thailand and is supported by the
kingdom’s powerful military and billionaire clans.
He spends much of his time in Europe, but he and his family have been in
Thailand in recent days for an annual Buddhist ceremony.
Wednesday’s drive-by was the first close encounter the royal family has
had with the protesters. The day before, protesters had flashed the salute
from a distance as the royal motorcade drove by.
Several popular anti-government movements have arisen in the turbulent
modern history of Thailand, which has endured long bouts of political unrest
and more than a dozen successful military coups since 1932.
The army has long positioned itself as the sole defender of the ultra-
wealthy king, whose power stretches across every facet of Thai society.
Activists have repeatedly said they wish only for the monarchy to adapt to
modern times.
Their demands include the abolition of a strict royal defamation law —
which shields the king from criticism — and for the monarch to stay out of
politics.
Since the protests started, dozens of activists have been arrested,
charged with sedition and released on bail.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the premier had ordered
police to press charges against “the protesters who obstructed the royal
motorcade” on Wednesday.
Charges will also be pursued against “those who had acted in a way that
defames the monarchy”, he said in a statement.
“They must face legal procedures without exception.”
After protesters marched to the Government House on Wednesday, they stayed
through the night shouting for Prayut to “get out”, while some camped
outside.
The demonstration was intended to commemorate the 47th anniversary of a
1973 student uprising that saw 77 people killed.
BSS/AFP/RY/10:45hrs