Thai protesters target police HQ after day of violence

[webfact]

Thai protesters target police HQ after day of violence

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

A person spray-paints the plaque with lettering in front of the police headquarters during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand November 18, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai protesters splashed paint, daubed graffiti and sprayed water on the police headquarters in Bangkok on Wednesday, a day after dozens were hurt by tear gas and water cannon in the worst violence in months of anti-government demonstrations.

 

Youth-led protests since July have become the biggest challenge to the establishment in years with their demands for the ousting of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a new constitution and reforms to curb the monarchy's powers.

 

Tens of thousands joined Wednesday's protest, which turned the outside of the Royal Thai Police headquarters into a multicoloured mess. Protesters placed dog food at the gate for police in an insult to what they called "slaves of tyranny".

 

Some sprayed anti-monarchy graffiti.

 

Protesters said they were enraged by the police response to Tuesday's demonstration at parliament and the rejection by lawmakers of a constitutional reform proposal that could have considered the role of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

 

"We came here solely because of our anger," said one of the protest leaders, Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul.

 

Police barricaded themselves inside and did not intervene.

 

In case the police used water cannon, protesters brought inflatable pool ducks to use as shields. They have also become protest mascots.

 

The protesters had vandalised public property and thrown projectiles that could have hurt officers and as a result charges would be brought against them, said police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen.

 

Protests since July have been largely peaceful.

 

But Bangkok's Erawan Medical Centre said at least 55 people were hurt on Tuesday, with 32 suffering from tear gas and six with gunshot wounds. Protesters also scuffled with royalist counter-protesters.

 

Thai protesters and police clashed on Tuesday in the worst violence the country has seen since protests began in July. Gloria Tso reports.

 

Police said a royalist had been charged with possession of a weapon and ammunition after the protest, but did not accuse him of opening fire.

 

Royalists say they believe that calls for reforming the monarchy are a way to abolish it. Protesters deny that.

 

In parliament, where lawmakers voted on seven options for ways to change the constitution, a proposal that would have opened the way for discussion of the king's role failed to win enough votes for approval.

 

Two proposals were adopted that would allow for discussion of constitutional change without affecting the monarchy.

 

"We will not touch on that," said Wirat Ratanaset, from the ruling coalition.

 

The vote was not a surprise. Prayuth's supporters have a majority in parliament, where the entire upper house Senate was appointed by the junta he led after a 2014 coup until a disputed election last year.

 

The Royal Palace has made no comment since the protests began.

 

Protesters said their next event would be at the Crown Property Bureau on Nov. 25 over the management of the palace fortune, which the king has taken into his personal control. The fund is valued in the tens of billions of dollars.

 

Protesters said there would be seven more days of demonstrations after that.

 

(Additional reporting by Petra Mahira; Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Robert Birsel and Alex Richardson)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-19

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

 

Apologies, Thaivisa is not currently accepting comments on this topic
 

[webfact]

Duck and cover: Blow-up mascots star at Thai protests

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Juarawee Kittisilpa

 

Demonstrators move inflatable rubber ducks during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand November 18, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police have water cannon and teargas to fire at protesters. The answer: Inflatable yellow pool ducks.

 

The giant ducks starred on Wednesday as thousands of protesters massed outside police headquarters in Bangkok.

 

They had first made an appearance on Tuesday outside parliament in the most violent day of months of demonstrations as protesters used them as shields to advance towards police lines.

 

"They're like a mascot now. I saw them being used as shields. Maybe they are not that strong but they are a good stunt," said a 27-year-old protester named Earn as she posed for a photo with three of the ducks.

 

One protester said the ducks had originally been bought for fun, but were used as impromptu shields when police used water cannon.

 

"If the police hadn't fired water cannon at us, we wouldn't have had to use them as a shield," said one protester who gave her name as Wim.

 

Police did not respond immediately to a request for comment on use of the ducks. Police did not use water cannon or teargas on Wednesday as protesters sprayed water and splashed paint at police headquarters.

 

Similar ducks were offered for around 2,800 baht ($90) each by several suppliers on Lazada, a popular online shopping site in Thailand.

 

Protests began in July and seek the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha - a former junta leader, changes to the constitution and curbs on the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

 

"Long Live the King," protesters shouted sardonically at the convoy of ducks borne head high at Wednesday's protest.

(Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-19

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[webfact]

Police to take legal action against protesters for defacing signs at RTP HQ, shooting marbles at officers

By THE NATION

 

 

The police said they would pursue legal action against pro-democracy protesters for defacing signs in front of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters and shooting marbles at officers during a rally at Ratchaprasong intersection on Wednesday.

 

The protesters had massed for a rally at 4pm – the second day of intensified demonstrations over charter-change motions in Parliament. They later besieged the front entrance of the RTP headquarters and also the entrance located on Henri Dunant Road, condemning a riot police operation on Tuesday at Kiak Kai intersection near Parliament, where had police fired tear gas and water cannons at the demonstrators.

 

 

“At around 8pm [on Wednesday], some protesters threw objects over the fence, while others threw paint at the signboards in front of the headquarters, which is considered an act of destroying government property,” said deputy spokesman Pol General Krisana Pattanacharoen.

 

“Investigation officers from Pathumwan station are gathering evidence and will pursue legal action against the offenders,” he said.

 

 

“Besides water bottles that were thrown over the fence, police also found paint cans and marbles, which were shot by slingshots,” Krisana said.

 

“Some riot-control officers also reported that they were injured from being shot at with marbles and iron nuts, while others suffered from irritation caused by paint being thrown in their eyes and mouths.”

 

 

Krisana added that officers deployed at the police headquarters on Wednesday were ordered to stand by and monitor the situation, with no intention to dismiss the rally or drive the protesters away from Ratchaprasong intersection.

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30398181

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-11-19

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates