Young Thais call for government to resign in night protest

By Artorn Pookasook

 

Demonstrators light up their smartphones as they gather during a protest demanding the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, under a highway in Pathum Thani, at the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, July 23, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Holding up messages on their tablets and waving their cellphone torches, hundreds of young protesters rallied on Thursday to demand the Thai the government resign and dissolve parliament, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings.

 

A network of student groups called "Free Youth" joined forces on the outskirts of Bangkok, voicing a raft of complaints against the year-old civilian government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army chief who ousted an elected government six years ago.

 

"We are here to call for a new constitution. Because the current constitution doesn't support our rights and freedom. It was inherited from the military coup in 2014," student protester Thanachai Aurlucha, 25, said.

 

A student who identified herself with the nickname Fufu, 22, said the government had failed to boost the economy. "We're about to graduate but we don't know how we will make a living. If I don't come out today, there will be no future."

 

A protester calling himself Ron, 39, said: "I want to call for true democracy in Thailand." Both declined to give their real names.

 

Despite officers warning the rally was unlawful for breaking the coronavirus ban, there was no visible police presence near the night-time gathering in which many held three fingers in the air in what has become a symbol of the protests.

 

Similar protests took place in four other provinces -- Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon and Pattani. Youths are also planning gatherings in Bangkok and other provinces at the weekend.

 

The rallies followed a protest in Bangkok on Saturday of about 2,500 people, in one of the biggest street demonstrations since the 2014 coup that ousted the last elected administration.

 

Public opposition to Prayuth has been growing in recent months. Since last year's election, a court has dissolved the second-largest opposition party, giving his ruling coalition a firmer grip on parliament.

 

Thailand is to extend a state of emergency until the end of August but the National Security Council said the decree would be used only to contain virus outbreaks and not rallies. So far, there have been no arrests at the protests.

 

The government has not publicly addressed the protesters' grievances.

 

(Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Alison Williams)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-24

 

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“A network of student groups called "Free Youth”

 

”many held three fingers in the air what has become a symbol of the protests.”
 

Maybe got a little lost in translation. 
 

Good luck to them. Really hope it doesn’t end in tears. 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 20205 yr by Kadilo

Well done, guys. Anything this gov stipulates as being 'unlawful' smacks of hypocrisy and should be taken with a large dose of salt. Sad to see Thailand being put through the wringer by uncaring folks with an agenda. Keep getting out there - esp beautiful young ladies with placards.

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

night-time gathering in which many held three fingers in the air in what has become a symbol of the protests.

I'd argue that just the middle one should be enough

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings

Really, I thought just yesterday the ban on gathering was lifted. So why is the sensationalism story needed again?

 

This government unfortunately does not give 2 poops about the citizens and what they want.

Good for them, they deserve better, people power!

Good for the Thais. They must get the Constitution  re written again

otherwise the demonstrations are a waste of time. Kick the #%%%^^ out of Government.???? 

I wonder how long before they ( the authoritarian rulers ) dust off the tanks and attack helicopters?

Ok, resign, and then what? what is the alternative? who's is there good and honest enough to replace them before they themselves become rotten?...

 

 

A student who identified herself with the nickname Fufu, 22, said the government had failed to boost the economy. "We're about to graduate but we don't know how we will make a living. If I don't come out today, there will be no future."

 

Sounds to me like this protester was citing the assault of freedoms from the ridiculous lock down measures, more so than the constitution.

 

Of course, if this goes on much longer, many industries will be closed for good, and there will be NO jobs or opportunities for the youth.

 

You can understand how disheartening it must be, just graduating University and wanting to make a life for yourself,

only everything is shut, no jobs, no tourists, no investment..

all for a flu that kills a minuscule %. 

 

Sooner or later the world will wake up. Expect to see protests in our cities.

 

I would not be surprised at all if certain  peoples end up protesting in large gatherings, to deliberately get infected and force herd immunity. 

 

No government will be able to stop that, short of using artillery on the public.

 

The nonsense has got to end.

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"Free Youth"

The greatest weapon against autocracy.  Many are young women.  "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World".  

 

"WE ARE THE PEOPLE" 

 

(Slogan from East Germany when the people were fed up of their communist government

- and they got rid of it)

 

Prayut lacks a mandate from the people since he did not run for election. Also, he is the sole PM candidate nominated by Phalang Pracharat, which failed to win a majority of seats in the March election and thereby has little in the way of legitimacy to form a government. 

 

Link 

https://www.nationthailand.com/opinion/30370562

Seven reasons why Prayut should not be new PM

 

 

 

 

Thailand needs a Khun Prayut at the top to control unrest, lawlessness and general mayhem that always seems to develop when other parties or civilian protesters want to make noise.

This has been proven time after time, the country turns into anarchy when the law is not applied and protesters and opposition parties are allowed to do what they like followed by road blocks, shootings,  vandalism and violence, cracks start to appear and fighting starts between protesters who oppose each other and opposing supporters.

As mentioned, this happens every time the reigns are loosened.

 

 

Edited July 24, 20205 yr by steven100

17 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Thailand needs a Khun Prayut at the top to control unrest, lawlessness and general mayhem that always seems to develop when other parties or civilian protesters want to make noise.

This has been proven time after time, the country turns into anarchy when the law is not applied

In a way I agree with you. So have 2 PM's, one who understands how to get the economy back on track and actually run the country.

The other one (probably army) only in charge of safety, control unrest and lawlessness.

But that's never gonna happen, they need a coalition political system.

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

I'd argue that just the middle one should be enough

That will get banned soon

1 hour ago, PatOngo said:

I wonder how long before they ( the authoritarian rulers ) dust off the tanks and attack helicopters?

Getting warmed up as we speak

1 hour ago, pookondee said:

The nonsense has got to end.

Dreamer! It will never end!

4 hours ago, webfact said:

hundreds of young protesters rallied on Thursday to demand the Thai the government resign and dissolve parliament,

The protests in Hongkong started like this , but that ended not good ...

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Because the current constitution doesn't support our rights and freedom. It was inherited from the military coup in 2014

The constitution was amended to ensure the ruling party can stay in power and the people behind it can continue to control everything .

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

So far, there have been no arrests at the protests

If they go on and become bigger , that will change .

 

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Ok, resign, and then what? what is the alternative? who's is there good and honest enough to replace them before they themselves become rotten?...

Thanatorn , or at least the party that he had to leave ...

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

Thailand needs a Khun Prayut at the top to control unrest, lawlessness and general mayhem that always seems to develop when other parties or civilian protesters want to make noise.

This has been proven time after time, the country turns into anarchy when the law is not applied and protesters and opposition parties are allowed to do what they like followed by road blocks, shootings,  vandalism and violence, cracks start to appear and fighting starts between protesters who oppose each other and opposing supporters.

As mentioned, this happens every time the reigns are loosened.

 

 

So you envision a country like Cambodia was under the Khmer Rouge.  Well it is starting to get close as Government opposition dissidents and such are disappearing off of the streets.  Or maybe like Iraq was when Sadam was in power, or even Libya for that matter.  But closer to home N. Korea.  Take your pick.  It does not work in the eyes of the countries people and coups only have happened since well we can not discuss that here.

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Really, I thought just yesterday the ban on gathering was lifted. So why is the sensationalism story needed again?

 

This government unfortunately does not give 2 poops about the citizens and what they want.

You mean a high jacked falsely taken Government. The military or elite do not give 2 poops about anything except themselves. 

1 minute ago, holy cow cm said:

You mean a high jacked falsely taken Government. The military or elite do not give 2 poops about anything except themselves. 

Exactly my point.

1 hour ago, Yinn said:

 

Prayut lacks a mandate from the people since he did not run for election. Also, he is the sole PM candidate nominated by Phalang Pracharat, which failed to win a majority of seats in the March election and thereby has little in the way of legitimacy to form a government. 

 

Link 

https://www.nationthailand.com/opinion/30370562

Seven reasons why Prayut should not be new PM

 

 

 

 

 

Did you REALLY write that first sentence yourself?

12 minutes ago, stouricks said:

 

Did you REALLY write that first sentence yourself?

Yinn has a voice . She is a thai in a forum that consists of mostly old white foreign men .

This forum is about Thailand and it is good to hear a Thai opinion .

Not many Thai people can express themselves in english as good as she can ...

Even if she did not write this first sentence herself , she made clear what she wants to say .

Could you write YOUR post in Thai language ?

Edited July 24, 20205 yr by nobodysfriend

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

Thailand needs a Khun Prayut at the top to control unrest, lawlessness and general mayhem that always seems to develop when other parties or civilian protesters want to make noise.

This has been proven time after time, the country turns into anarchy when the law is not applied and protesters and opposition parties are allowed to do what they like followed by road blocks, shootings,  vandalism and violence, cracks start to appear and fighting starts between protesters who oppose each other and opposing supporters.

As mentioned, this happens every time the reigns are loosened.

 

 

This below is what Yinn wrote and it is spot on every time she posts the same detail about your savior. Honestly Coups, Self appointing yourself ruler, Self given amnesty, Eliminating your opposition, Rigging an election that their party still lost and still taking the top seat is not honest or respectable. I guess you might think that China is doing good in silencing the Hong Kong protestors and that Taiwan needs to settle down and be controlled by China who say they are Taiwan's rulers. Never mind Tibet either, because they are just some poor unguided savage mountain folk who needed to be reigned in as well. But I do have to say when you post it does crack me up laughing.

 

Quote: Prayut lacks a mandate from the people since he did not run for election. Also, he is the sole PM candidate nominated by Phalang Pracharat, which failed to win a majority of seats in the March election and thereby has little in the way of legitimacy to form a government. 

 

 

2 hours ago, sweatalot said:

 

"WE ARE THE PEOPLE" 

 

(Slogan from East Germany when the people were fed up of their communist government

- and they got rid of it)

East Germany is certainly not a good example. 

37 minutes ago, stouricks said:

2 hours ago, Yinn said:

 

Prayut lacks a mandate from the people since he did not run for election. Also, he is the sole PM candidate nominated by Phalang Pracharat, which failed to win a majority of seats in the March election and thereby has little in the way of legitimacy to form a government. 

 

Link 

https://www.nationthailand.com/opinion/30370562

Seven reasons why Prayut should not be new PM

 

 

 

 

 

Did you REALLY write that first sentence yourself?

 

And the award for ignorant post of the month goes to stouricks.

 

She obviously didn't write that sentence herself, and she also made that clear by adding a link to the source from which she copied and pasted that sentence

7 minutes ago, Susco said:

She obviously didn't write that sentence herself, and she also made that clear by adding a link to the source from which she copied and pasted that sentence

I read the link Yinn posted , but could not find that ( pasted ?  ) sentence in it .

Edited July 24, 20205 yr by nobodysfriend

5 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

I read the link Yinn posted , but could not find that ( pasted ?  ) sentence in it .

 

Seventh, parliamentarians should consider the fact that Prayut lacks a mandate from the people since he did not run for election. Also, he is the sole PM candidate nominated by Phalang Pracharat, which failed to win a majority of seats in the March election and thereby has little in the way of legitimacy to form a government.

56 minutes ago, stouricks said:

 

Did you REALLY write that first sentence yourself?

Of course she didn't. 

It's text from the 7th point in the link. 

I don't think she was trying to fool anyone.

Members here know that her English is rough.