BANGKOK, Sept 20 (Reuters) – Brazenly difficult the monarchy of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, hundreds of protesters marched in Bangkok on Sunday to current calls for that embrace a name for reforms to curb his powers.
Protesters have grown ever bolder throughout two months of demonstrations towards Thailand’s palace and military-dominated institution, breaking a long-standing taboo on criticising the monarchy — which is against the law beneath lese majeste legal guidelines.
The Royal Palace was not instantly obtainable for remark. The king shouldn’t be at the moment in Thailand.
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The marchers have been blocked by a whole bunch of unarmed police manning crowd management limitations.
Protest leaders declared victory after saying Royal Guard police had agreed to go on their calls for to police headquarters. Police made no rapid remark.
“Our best victory within the two days is to indicate that strange individuals like us can ship a letter to royals,” Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, instructed the group.
On the greatest demonstration in years, tens of hundreds of protesters on Saturday cheered requires reform of the monarchy in addition to for the removing of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta chief, and a brand new structure and elections.
Shortly after dawn on Sunday, protesters cemented a plaque close to the Grand Palace in Bangkok within the space referred to as Sanam Luang, or Royal Subject.
It reads, “At this place the individuals have expressed their will: that this nation belongs to the individuals and isn’t the property of the monarch as they’ve deceived us.”
Police didn’t intervene. Authorities spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri mentioned police wouldn’t use violence towards protesters and it was as much as the police to find out and prosecute any unlawful speech.
“Down with feudalism, lengthy reside the individuals,” protesters chanted.
The plaque resembles one eliminated with out clarification from outdoors one of many royal palaces in 2017, after Vajiralongkorn took the throne. That plaque, which had commemorated the top of absolute monarchy in 1932, was changed by one with a pro-monarchist slogan.
(Further reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Enhancing by Chris Reese and William Mallard)
