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Thailand: thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok

2020-11-28T22:30:29.444Z


Several thousand pro-democracy demonstrators blocked an important crossroads in Bangkok on Friday, November 27 to demand a democratic change of government, at a time when rumors of a possible coup were circulating. Read also: Thailand: pro-democracy youth on a tightrope Some 5,000 demonstrators gathered under a road bridge in the north of the capital, carrying Santas and large inflatable yellow


Several thousand pro-democracy demonstrators blocked an important crossroads in Bangkok on Friday, November 27 to demand a democratic change of government, at a time when rumors of a possible coup were circulating.

Read also: Thailand: pro-democracy youth on a tightrope

Some 5,000 demonstrators gathered under a road bridge in the north of the capital, carrying Santas and large inflatable yellow ducks, which have become a symbol of the movement.

The protesters demand the resignation of the Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a rewrite of the Constitution deemed too favorable to the army as well as a reform of the royalty.

General Prayut, who came to power in a coup in 2014, this week ruled out the possibility of being ousted from power or the possibility of the imposition of martial law.

An improbable putsch

Among the protesters, Natalie, 32, who works in the tertiary sector in Bangkok, believes the latest coup that brought General Prayut to power has been disastrous for Thailand and fears a repeat of a similar scenario.

It is a time of crisis today for Bangkok and Thailand.

I want new elections, a new Prime Minister and a new government that would really listen to the people,

”she said.

The protesters passed large inflatable pool ducks over their heads to symbolize the military who they believe are passing over the people to dominate political life in Thailand.

Another group carried portraits of generals who carried out coups in the past, before burning them.

Army chief Narongphan Jittkaewtae dismissed rumors of a coup claiming that the odds of another putsch were "

less than zero

".

Pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok rally on November 27, 2020. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Political scientist Titipol Phakdeewanich from Ubon Ratchathani University also considers the possibility of a putsch to be unlikely.

"

I don't think General Prayut is being kicked out because he still enjoys strong support from the conservatives ... and big business,

" he told AFP.

Since Thailand became a democracy in 1932, around ten coups d'état have taken place in the country.

Rumors of the possibility of another coup have been circulating since the pro-democracy movement began in July.

Several thousand demonstrators on Wednesday called on the king to relinquish his control over the royal fortune, valued at tens of billions of dollars.

Next week, a constitutional court is due to decide whether General Prayut is breaking the law by residing in a house belonging to the military.

If he loses, the head of government could be forced to resign.

>> SEE ALSO -

Thailand: the Prime Minister agrees to modify the Constitution and criticizes the interference of NGOs

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-11-28

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