Thai Protestors Rally as Leaders Summoned over Royal Defamation

Bangkok, Nov 25 (AFP/APP): Thai pro-democracy protesters gathered in Bangkok Wednesday as police summoned 12 of their leaders to answer charges of royal defamation, the first use of the draconian law in almost three years.

At least a thousand demonstrators — many brandishing the yellow toy ducks that have become a symbol of the movement — took to the streets near the headquarters of the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) to protest at the secrecy surrounding King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s wealth.

Thailand has for months been rocked by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution, reform of the untouchable monarchy, and for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha to resign. Tensions in Bangkok have been rising — police used water cannon and tear gas at a rally outside parliament last week, with 55 people injured and six shot in scuffles with royalists.

The source of the gunfire is under investigation. The protesters had planned to rally outside the headquarters of the Crown Property Bureau on Wednesday, prompting police to lock down the area with razor wire and rows of shipping containers. But overnight they flagged they would switch the protest to the main office of the Siam Commercial Bank — in which the king is a major shareholder — to avoid potential clashes with a rival ultra royalist rally.

Sea, 27 a masters student from Phuket, described the police use of containers to protect the Crown Property Bureau as a “joke”. “I have two emotions. First I was angry and then I laughed. It’s very funny. On the internet we make fun of their actions every day,” Sea told AFP.

Many protesters were sporting yellow ducks — on T-shirts, hats and helmets — after demonstrators used larger inflatable versions last week to defend themselves against police water cannon and tear gas. As protester numbers grew, there was a festive atmosphere with police — not wearing riot gear — keeping a relatively low profile.

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