Clashes Between Police and Demonstrators as Thailand's Pro-Democracy Protests Restart
In early 2020, protests began in Thailand. Initially starting as demonstrations against the government, they later demanded reform of the Thai monarchy. Made up of mostly university students, thousands risked prison sentences to fight the power of the system. Maha Vajiralongkorn became king in 2016—after his father died—and enhanced his powers, much to the dismay of Thailand’s younger population. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha rose to power during a military coup in 2014. Young people wish for the cycle of coups — which have shrouded Thailand’s political history — to end with their generation. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa said, “One day if there’s no reform, we will revolt.”
The Thai government’s decision to dissolve the pro-democracy opposition party, Future Forward, sparked the protests on university campuses across the country. In July three demands were handed over to authorities: end the harassment of people, dissolve the government and draft a new constitution. Prime Minister Chan-Ocha said that “the government’s task is to protect the monarchy,” displaying a large disparity between the people and those in a higher power.
By mid-October, a state of emergency was declared with the government citing the blocking of a royal motorcade as the reason. However, protesters ignored warnings and continued with their demonstrations, resulting in the use of water cannons by police and military forces. Clashes and conflict repeatedly took place between protesters, the police and royalists.
2021
While demonstrations temporarily stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, anger towards authorities mounted online. The hashtag “#whydoweneedaking” was used over a million times, showing the country’s frustration over their monarchic system.
Momentum slowed after a surge in Thailand’s coronavirus cases towards the end of the year. But the recent arrest of four activists under charges of the lese majeste law spurred protests into action once again. The law says that any insult against Thailand’s king can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Over 1,000 protesters held signs that said, “free our friends” and abolish “112,” referring to the article of law.
58 activists have been charged with insulting royals since November. One woman who posted audio said to be insulting to the monarchy was sentenced to 43 years in prison. “They look at the protestors as the enemy,” said Tattep Ruangprapaikitseeree. Referring to the draconian measures and criminal charges police are imposing, he stated, “If they continue to use this method, the protests will keep growing, and it will never end.”
While the demonstrators fight for their cause, the political establishment stands by theirs. Authorities have refused to back down, with Parliament’s efforts for change often blocked by the unelected Senate. As the nation is run by Prayuth, a former general, the people wish for separation of military, royalty and Parliamentary rule, seeking to protest until their demands have been met. A lawmaker from the governing party, Pareena Kraikupt, said, “Reforming the monarchy, this will not happen. Thailand has a king who is beloved and most respected with all our lives.”
Paint has been thrown at police, firecrackers have been seen on the ground and scuffles have broken out between demonstrators and police as they defy COVID rules on gatherings. Military police and the authorities insist their problem isn’t with opposition but because of insults to the King. Thailand’s notion towards treating the monarchy as a higher power, one above the people and the government, creates a further gap between those in power and the people.
Clement Voule, special rapporteur for freedom of assembly said, “It is legitimate for people to start discussing where their country is going, and what kind of future they want. Stopping people from raising their legitimate concerns is not acceptable.”
