Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Thai protesters rally to push demands for democratic reforms

Thai protesters rally to push demands for democratic reforms

BANGKOK - Thousands of demonstrators defied police warnings and occupied a historic field in Thailand’s capital on Saturday to support the demands of a student-led protest movement for new elections and reform of the monarchy.
Organizers predicted that as many as 50,000 people would take part in the two-day protest in an area of Bangkok historically associated with political protests. A march is planned for Sunday.
The early arrivals at Sanam Luang, a large field that has hosted major political demonstrations for decades, were a disparate batch, several with their own flags. An LGBTQ contingent waved their iconic rainbow banners, while red flags sprouted across the area, representing Thailand’s Red Shirt political movement, which battled the country’s military in Bangkok’s streets 10 years ago.
By the time the main speakers took the stage in the evening, Associated Press reporters estimated that around 20,000 people were present. People were still arriving as the nighttime program continued.
At least 8,000 police officers reportedly were deployed for the event, which attracted the usual scores of food and souvenir vendors.
(AP)