Monarchy

Protesters Call For Thai PM’s Resignation

Thai police on Sunday deployed rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon against protesters who defied COVID-19 restrictions to call for Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation and mark the anniversary of a pro-democracy movement.The kingdom is currently battling its worst COVID-19 wave, registering daily case records as hospitals buckle under pressure.Exacerbating the toll has been the government's slow procurement of vaccines, which has drawn criticism as Thailand's economy r

19 July 2021
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Thais Clash With Police At Grand Palace

Thai police used water cannon and rubber bullets outside Bangkok's Grand Palace Saturday, after demonstrators broke through a barricade of shipping containers to demand reforms to the kingdom's unassailable monarchy. It was the latest night of unrest since Thailand's pro-democracy movement kicked off in July, calling for an overhaul of Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha's administration and a rewrite of a military-scripted constitution.But their most controversial demands

21 March 2021
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Thousands Support Royals At Bangkok Drone Show

Some 10 thousand royalists turned out in Bangkok on Saturday for a drone show honouring the Thai king's late father, in a show of force by a monarchy under pressure following months of pro-democracy protests.Since July demonstrators have made unprecedented calls to reform Thailand's monarchy – a taboo-smashing demand in a country where the ultra-wealthy royal family has long been untouchable.But Saturday saw the king's supporters turn out in force, wearing yellow and clutching

6 December 2020
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'Rubber Duck Revolution' Takes Off In Thailand

Bangkok has been gripped by a rubber duck frenzy since pro-democracy protesters used giant inflatables to shield themselves from water cannon spray last month.When police mounted a crackdown on a November rally, deploying tear gas and water cannons outside parliament, footage of demonstrators hiding behind giant ducks went viral.Within days, duck-themed paraphernalia became a staple among street vendors at protests, the birds featuring on everything from hats to hair clips.Protesters are call

5 December 2020
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Thai Protesters Target Royal Wealth

Thousands of Thai democracy activists rallied in Bangkok Wednesday to demand the king give up control of his multibillion-dollar fortune, turning their protest movement directly on the once-untouchable monarchy's vast wealth.At least 7,000 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 financia

26 November 2020
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Thai Students Rally As Germany Looks On

Thousands of high school students upset about Thailand's lacklustre education system rallied alongside protestors dressed as dancing dinosaurs in Bangkok on Saturday.It was the first mass gathering in the kingdom since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned authorities would use all laws, including harsh royal defamation charges, to crack down on pro-democracy protesters.Since August, emboldened by a broader political protest movement sweeping Thailand, a group called the "Bad Stud

22 November 2020
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Thai PM Orders Police Crackdown On Protests

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered security agencies Thursday to crack down on pro-democracy protesters, as rights groups condemned police for using tear gas and water cannon at a Bangkok rally. The country has been rocked since July by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution, unprecedented calls to reform the untouchable monarchy, and for Prayut to resign.Clashes outside parliament Tuesday between pro-democracy protesters and hardline royalists marked a steep rise

20 November 2020
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Students Climb Monument, Rappers Target Monarchy

Thai pro-democracy protesters scaled a Bangkok monument Saturday night to unfurl a giant banner scribbled with anti-government slogans, and a Thai hip hop group took aim at the monarchy with their new song.The kingdom has for months experienced massive student-led demonstrations demanding a new constitution, changes to how the royal family operates and for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha –who rose to power in a 2014 coup – to resign.Several thousand people turned out for a carnival-themed ra

15 November 2020
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Thai King Declares 'Love' For All

King Maha Vajiralongkorn called Thailand the "land of compromise" in unprecedented comments Sunday, during which the once-unapproachable monarch declared "love" for all Thais after months of protests calling for reform to the monarchy.The 68-year-old ruler sits at the apex of Thai power, and comments to the media are rare due to protocols dictating formalities with the royal family.Societal taboos also prohibit Thais from speaking to - or questioning - the monarch, who is

2 November 2020
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Police Arrest 21 At Thai Pro-Democracy Rally

Police arrested 21 protesters Tuesday during a Bangkok rally that saw dozens of people give a royal motorcade a three-fingered salute - a show of defiance by Thai pro-democracy activists calling for reforms to the monarchy.Since July, Thailand has seen frequent youth-led demonstrations demanding the resignation of Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief.Some in the leaderless movement have also called for reform to the monarchy - a once-taboo topic due to Thailand's harsh royal de

14 October 2020
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Thai Protesters' Plaque Removed Overnight

A plaque installed by activists in Bangkok declaring Thailand "belongs to the people" had been removed Monday, after a weekend show of force by protesters calling for the royal family to stay out of the kingdom's politics.Thailand has seen near-daily protests for the past two months led by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief who masterminded a 2014 coup.Some 30,000 demonstrators rallied Saturday close to Bangkok's Gra

21 September 2020
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Why Are Thais Criticising Their Monarchy Now?

After a long silence, Thailand’s pro-democracy opposition has returned. Although not clad in red nor do they share allegiances to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, they have taken aim at Thailand’s ruling power structures.

12 September 2020
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