Thu 15 October 2020:
Shortly after the decree took effect, Thai riot police cleared protesters from outside the prime minister’s office
The Thai government has announced an emergency decree In a televised announcement read out by police to stem largely peaceful protests in Bangkok, including a ban on large gatherings.
The ruling bans gatherings of five or more people and the publication of news or online messages that could harm national security.
The emergency measures came into effect at 04:00 local time on Thursday (21:00 GMT on Wednesday).
Protests have escalated over the past three months and on Wednesday tens of thousands of people marched in Bangkok, the capital, setting up camp outside Government House, the prime minister’s office. The government said it also acted after demonstrators obstructed a royal motorcade.
Videos shared widely on social media showed police protecting the royals’ yellow car as it moved through crowds of people holding their arms aloft in the three-finger salute that has become the symbol of the democracy movement and shouting their demands.
“It is extremely necessary to introduce an urgent measure to end this situation effectively and promptly to maintain peace and order,” state television said.
It also prohibits: “publication of news, other media, and electronic information that contains messages that could create fear or intentionally distort information, creating misunderstanding that will affect national security or peace and order.”
Shortly after the decree took effect, Thai riot police cleared protesters from outside the prime minister’s office. Some tried to resist, using makeshift barricades, but they were pushed back, Reuters news agency reported.
Hundreds of police were seen on the streets even after protesters were dispersed.
Shortly afterwards, police cleared the remaining protesters from outside Government House. Police said they had arrested protest leaders Parit “Penguin” Chirawat and rights lawyer Arnon Nampa. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said its earlier statement that Panupong Jadnok had also been arrested was incorrect.
A third leader, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, was picked up later on Thursday with pictures on social media showing her being taken away in a wheelchair as she gave the three-fingered salute. Rung had said a protest would take place at 4pm (09:00 GMT) despite the emergency decree. Police made no immediate comment.
The Asia desk of FIDH, an international human rights group, said at least 20 pro-democracy activists had been arrested.
Under the state of emergency, police can detain people without charge for as long as 30 days, according to Sunai Phasuk, Human Rights Watch’s senior researcher in Thailand.
Students protest
There is a long history of political unrest in the country, but growing student protests have become the greatest challenge in years to Thailand’s ruling establishment.
The protest movement aims to remove Prayuth, the former army chief who took power in a 2014 coup that was meant to end a decade of violence between supporters and opponents of the country’s establishment, and who solidified his position in elections that were held last year.
They also want a new constitution and have called for a reduction in the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn – breaking a long-standing taboo on criticising the monarchy.
Such overt challenges to the monarchy are unprecedented in Thailand, where the royal family’s influence permeates every aspect of society, and have prompted a backlash from Thailand’s staunchly pro-royalist establishment.
