Thailand protests against the Junta-Government and the Challenge of Monarchy Taboos

PLUSSEVEN phototeam October 21, 2020July 1, 2022 2020, Junta-Government, Monarchy Taboos, Thailand, Thailand protests, Water canon trucks

14th October: The 2020 People’s Party protesters raised three finger salute while the queen’s motorcade was moving past. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
14th October: A confrontation between The 2020 People’s Party (black shirt) and the pro-monarchy association (yellow shirt). /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
The 2020 People’s Party protesters removed the pot plants on the pedestal of the Democracy Monument, after Bangkok Metropolitan Administrator placed them to prevent the access. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
14th October: In the afternoon, the 2020 People’s Party along with the sound amplifier trucks marched to the Government House before camped overnight. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt

Wednesday 14th October, the pro-democracy rally gathered at the Democracy Monument, they moved the pot plants out of the area as the democracy-redemption from the dictatorship. During this event, the protesters scuffled with other yellow shirt rallies and the dispute ended with no damages.

In the afternoon, the protest marched to the Government House. Blocked by several police barricades, included four police buses and arrived at the Government House.

They criticized the junta government, the monarchy, and the legal system. The protesters planned to camp out in front of the House.

Thursday 15th October, the Government declared the “Severe” Emergency Decree over Bangkok in the early morning. Claimed the prevention of the Covid-19 expansion and the state security.

The decree does not allow assembly of over 5 people, the media are restricted from presenting sensitive issues that relate to country security, and the officers have power to call for a citizen’s report.

15th October: Early morning, the crowd control polices cracked down the small number of protesters who spent the night at the Government House compound. /Photograph: Worapipat Lampad
15th October: Phanuphong Jadnok, one of the 2020 People’s Party leaders, had a speech in the middle of Ratchaprasong intersection. The rally dispersed in the evening and continued gathering at the Pathumwan intersection on the next day. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
16th October: In the evening, the police cracked down on the protest at the Pathumwan intersection. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
16th October: The police used water cannons, which mixed with color dye and chemical-laced, against the protesters, while umbrellas became the shield for the demonstrators. /Photograph: Worapipat Lampad
16th October: The protesters on the frontline against the riot police trying to crack down. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
The protester faced with the police water cannon trucks. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
After dispersed the demonstration, the police seized the Pathumwan intersection and arrested some of leaders and many protesters. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt

Around 4.30 a.m. the hundred of crown control polices scattered the protesters who camped out in front of the Government House, with no injuries or encounters reported. Three protest leaders, Arnon Numpa, Parit Chiwarak, and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul were arrested.

After the government declared the highest level of the Emergency Decree, the rally re-gathered at the Ratchaprasong intersection and began the speeches at 16.00 before ended at 22.00, tomorrow (16th Oct) the rally will continue on the same road at 17.00.

Friday 16th October, after 2 hours of the pro-democracy rally speeches, the chemical-laced water cannons were used as the crackdown approach.

The non-violent protesters and also the reporters were cannoned by the chemical water. More than 10 protesters were arrested; one reporter is confirmed. Afterward the protest leaders halted the rally and will announce the next gathering later.

Saturday 17th October, the pro-democracy group expanded flash mobs across Bangkok. Each was gathered without leaders, dissented the Emergency Decree, shouted the sentences as “F*ck you Tu” “dictators’ slave” and also “Kingller” before dispersed.

17th October: Following the cracked down, the protesters sparked flash mobs across Bangkok, closed the major street intersections and dissolved in the evening. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
17th October: The protesters closed Ladprao intersection, prepared helmets and raincoats in anticipation of the new crackdown that could happen. /Photograph: Varuth Pongsapipatt
18th October: The pro-democracy rallies have continued flash mobs in various places in Bangkok and over Thailand. The Victory Monument, Bangkok transportation hub, became the center of assembly avenue. /Photograph: Thanapong Kengpaiboon
19th October: The protesters expanded the flash mobs to the urban areas such as Kaset intersection, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Klong Prem Central Prison. As the pressure on the government to release the detained leaders and protesters. /Photograph: Thanapong Kengpaiboon

Sunday 18th October, the pro-democracy group arranged the flash mobs over Thailand.

While the “Severe” Emergency Decree is still imposing in Bangkok, the protesters headed to the Victory Monument. Prepared human barricades against the crown control police and also water cannons, the protest ended without any violence at 20.00.

Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th October, the pro-democracy group has continued the flash mobs in various places across Thailand.

Writer: Jamas Kositvichaya

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PLUSSEVEN phototeam

Photojournalists with a variety of interests—politics, economy, society, culture.

About the author

PLUSSEVEN phototeam

PLUSSEVEN phototeam

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