In Thailand’s capital Bangkok, hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators have again protested against the royal family and called for reforms. Today you marched towards a barracks of the Royal Guard wearing inflatable rubber ducks, which have become the bizarre symbol of the movement. According to their leader Parit Chiwarak, the protests were directed against two regiments that had violently suppressed demonstrations in the past.
According to Parit, the regiments were also heavily involved in coups and were placed under the direct control of King Maha Vajiralongkorn last year. The military has long positioned itself as the defender of the enormously wealthy Thai royal family, whose wealth is estimated at the equivalent of 25 to 50 billion euros.
Restriction of power required
In front of the barracks, the demonstrators called in particular for the power of the royal family to be restricted. Many had inflatable rubber ducks with them. The paddling animals developed into a symbol of the pro-democratic protests in Thailand, which now take place almost daily. The ducks were originally used as shields against water cannons and tear gas by the police.
„The army should serve us taxpayers and not the monarchy,“ said Farng, who refused to give his full name, to the AFP news agency. „Your duty is to protect people,“ added the 30-year-old.
The pro-democracy protest movement is also demanding the removal of the head of government, an army general, and a new constitution. With their criticism of the monarchy, the protests that have kept Bangkok in suspense since July broke a taboo in Thailand that had been in place for decades. The Southeast Asian country has one of the strictest libel laws in the world, which in fact forbids any criticism of the royal family.
