Despite the ban on demonstrations imposed by the Thai government, numerous democracy activists took to the streets in Bangkok today. They gathered in various locations in the Thai capital, which made it difficult for the police to stop the protests.
The rallies are largely organized by the “Free Youth”, which calls for the resignation of the authoritarian government, an amendment to the constitution and a reform of the monarchy. The protests against the government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha have been going on for three months.
On the fifth day after the ban on gatherings was imposed, the demonstrators resisted the orders of the authorities and showed the three-finger salute, which has become a symbol of the democracy movement.
Authorities threaten with curfew
The police used water cannons with blue paint and irritants on the protesters over the weekend. Following the example of the demonstrators in Hong Kong, the protesters protected themselves with umbrellas.
There were also demonstrations of solidarity with the democracy movement at at least two schools in Bangkok today, as reported by the „Bangkok Post“. Authorities warned that if the protests continued, a curfew could be imposed.
More than 50 leaders of the protest movement have already been arrested. In addition, the government tried to prevent the activists from communicating via social networks, but it was not very successful, as the „Bangkok Post“ reported.
