Pool video footage taken on October 21, 2020, shows Thailand’s
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha speaking in Bangkok. Thailand’s
premier on October 22 revoked an emergency decree that had been
intended to quell pro-democracy rallies despite it failing to stamp
out daily protests demanding he resigns and for reforms of the
unassailable monarchy. Thai TV Pool / AFP
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said Thailand needs to
bring “illegal protests” under control on Monday as he opened a
special parliamentary session to address months of pro-democracy
rallies.
Prayut, the former military chief who staged the 2014 coup, has
faced increasing pressure in recent weeks from tens of thousands of
protesters demanding his resignation.
The student-led rallies are also calling for a rewrite of the
military-scripted constitution and an end to alleged government
harassment of political opponents, as well as reform of the
once-unassailable monarchy.
“Though the people have the freedom to protest based on the
constitution, authorities need to control the illegal protests,”
said Prayut, who recalled parliament from recess last week.
“We do not want to see clashes or riots in the country,” he
said, accusing some protesters of “inappropriate actions”.
While Prayut acknowledged the protesters’ demands in his opening
speech, the two-day parliamentary session has not listed them on
its agenda.
But parliament will discuss an incident this month when
protesters flashed three-finger salutes — a symbol of their
movement — at Queen Suthida’s motorcade.
Such an overt challenge is unprecedented in Thailand, where the
royal family is protected under harsh anti-defamation laws, and
criticism of them is taboo.
“The protesters say it was not in the plan for the Queen to pass
that way, but the government says she can go anywhere,” said
Tankhun Jittitsara, one of the secretaries of House Speaker Chuan
Leekpai.
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“No one knows the truth so we’ll talk about that.”
– ‘Protect the monarchy’ –
The opposition Pheu Thai party used the parliamentary session to
call for Prayut’s resignation, saying it would “solve all
problems”.
“You’ve been in power for six-and-a-half years — five years
under your coup and one-and-a-half years when you gained benefit
from an undemocratic constitution,” said party secretary Prasert
Jantararuangthong.
“I call for General Prayut to resign as premier, which would be
a solution to solve all problems,” he said.
After the royal motorcade incident, the premier imposed
emergency measures banning gatherings of more than four, while
authorities arrested scores of activists.
Three activists were also charged under a rarely used law
banning “violence against the Queen”, which carries a maximum
sentence of life in prison.
Prayut revoked the emergency measures a week later when they
failed to discourage thousands from turning up in “guerrilla”
protests across Bangkok.
Some protesters are demanding the abolition of the royal
defamation law, a clear accounting of the palace’s finances, and
for King Maha Vajiralongkorn to stay out of politics.
Pro-royalist groups have emerged in response to the
unprecedented challenges to the monarchy, holding counter-rallies
to pronounce their love for the king.
On Monday, dozens of supporters in yellow shirts — the royal
colour — gathered outside parliament, telling MPs not to reform the
monarchy.
“We do not want the monarchy topic to be discussed in
parliament,” said Suwit Thongprasert, a prominent royalist
activist.
“We are ready to protect the monarchy.”
A student group has called for anti-government protesters to
march to the German embassy on Monday, an apparent reference to the
long periods of time the king has spent in Germany.
-AFP