A protester holds an image showing activist Anon Numpa and a sign that reads, ‘August 7, 2020: Democracy arrested’ as she and others call for the dissolution of the military government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and the release of Anon and Panupong Jadnok, who had been arrested on various charges the day before, during a flash mob in Bangkok. — AFP photo
BANGKOK: A flashmob of hundreds took to Bangkok’s streets Saturday to protest against the arrest of two pro-democracy activists — the latest outburst of anger in a movement increasingly vocal in its demand for reforms in Thailand.
The kingdom has seen near-daily rallies in recent weeks with mainly young protesters denouncing the government of former military leader Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.
Two protest leaders were arrested Friday evening on eight charges, including sedition and breaking coronavirus rules about gatherings at a rally held at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument on July 18.
Human rights lawyer Anon Numpa, 35, and activist Panupong Jadnok, 24, were released on bail Saturday afternoon, on condition they would not repeat the alleged offences.
On his release outside the city’s criminal court, Anon said he would abide by the terms.
“Our demands for a re-writing of the constitution and a rejection of the coup are constitutional,” he told waiting reporters.
But the bail decision did not deter a flashmob of around 1,000 protesters taking over a major junction in the Thai capital, the largest since the contentious rally three weeks earlier.
Crowds cheered and applauded the speakers on stage in the pouring rain, many holding up the three-finger protest salute inspired by “The Hunger Games” movie franchise.
“If we burn, you burn with us,” said one placard, continuing the theme.
Another referenced the musical “Les Miserables” with a sign reading: “This is the song of angry people”.
Former military leader Prayut held onto power after a national election last year, but the protesters regard his government as a legacy of a royalist junta regime.
Some have even dared challenge Thailand’s controversial lese majeste law, which protects the monarchy and its super-rich King Maha Vajiralongkorn from criticism.
Carrying a sentence of up to 15 years per charge, it is one of the harshest laws of its kind in the world, making open scrutiny of the royal family virtually impossible.
No charges have so far been filed under the draconian law against the protesters.
Thailand’s economy has been rocked by the coronavirus pandemic, laying bare the inequalities of a society perceived to favour the elite, pro-military establishment. — AFP