Thousands of Thais took part in a protest against the government on Monday (August 10), the biggest display of discontent against the administration of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.
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Carrying rainbow flags and portraits of missing pro-democracy activists, protesters stormed Thammasat University, located on the outskirts of the capital Bangkok, in the early evening. "No more fake democracy, " proclaimed one of the placards brandished during the demonstration which mobilized up to 4,000 people, according to AFP estimates. "Now is the time to make our voice heard in government, to tell it that we have had enough, " said one student, who declined to be named.
Almost daily student demonstrations
This mobilization comes after several weeks of almost daily student demonstrations to denounce the administration of Prayut Chan-O-Cha, considered too close to the military. The organizers renewed their demands for a rewrite of the 2017 constitution, a dissolution of parliament and called on the government to " stop threatening the people ".
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The protest brought together a diverse crowd, from the LGBTQI community to high school students to old pro-democracy activists, " We seniors have to support the students, " said a 70-year-old woman who preferred to remain anonymous. " We must fight for our sons, our daughters, our nephews and our nieces ".
Over the weekend, two activists were arrested on sedition charges - then released on bail - for their alleged role in organizing a large July 18 rally. The kingdom has long been locked in a cycle of violent riots and coups d'état led by an army quick to orchestrate putsches. Protesters see former army chief Prayut Chan-o-cha, who led the 2014 coup, an heir to the Thai military junta.
Protesters swept over Thammasat University, located on the outskirts of the capital Bangkok. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
The pandemic has hit the Thai economy hard, putting thousands of people out of work, and exacerbating anger over inequalities in a society accused of favoring the kingdom's elite. The Prime Minister has promised to hold a public debate with young Thais. The new generation of activists have entered sensitive ground by demanding a radical reform of the law against defamation against the royal family, which aims to protect the powerful and very wealthy King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Earlier on Monday, a group of royalists marched to parliament to counter a pro-democracy rally in which participants burned reproductions of tanks and the constitution. Waving the portrait of the monarch and the signs " The people protect the king ", the royalists urged not to insult the king.