Growing calls for Prayut to resign
‘Car mob’ rally seeks to drive out thai PM
Thousands of protesters in cars and on bikes massed in Bangkok’s central shopping district, one of several mobile rallies across Thailand demanding Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha resign over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The kingdom is grappling with its worst outbreak so far, registering record numbers of daily infections each week as hospitals struggle to cope.
PROTESTERS planned mass demonstrations with convoys of cars converging on several locations in Bangkok, demanding Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha resign amid rising anger over his government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anti-government protests in recent weeks have resulted in violent clashes after police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse protests in front of Prayut’s residence.
Authorities say public gatherings are illegal under the Covid-19 emergency.
The organisers of yesterday’s “car mob” said protesting in cars would help prevent the spread of the virus, vowing to protest peacefully with a clear time frame for the start and end to the activities.
“The three routes that we plan clearly avoid passing high security areas or sensitive places that can lead to confrontation,” said activist Nattawut Saikua, one of the organisers.
The police said the use of force is sometimes necessary to maintain public order, adding that they have complied with international standards in using tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons.
“We need to maintain the law and keep the peace,” Thai police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk told reporters, without specifying whether the police intend to use force.
More than 130 people have been arrested in the latest round of anti-government protests since mid-july, Suwat said.
Thailand’s youth-led anti-government protest movement appears to have regained momentum and its support has broadened after demonstrations last year attracted hundreds of thousands of people before a crackdown.
Other political groups, including some of Prayut’s former allies, are now joining the protests as the country struggles to cope with its worst wave of Covid-19, with many blaming the government’s handling of the crisis.