Thai democracy activists rallied at the United Nation's (UN) Bangkok office Thursday and asked the body to pressure the kingdom into repealing royal defamation laws they say are being used to suppress their movement.23 leaders are facing charges under the legislation for headlining demonstrations demanding reforms to the monarchy and more scrutiny of the royal family's financial arrangements.The kingdom's lese majeste laws shield the super wealthy King Maha Vajiralongkorn and t

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

Hundreds of protesters marched on a barracks of Thailand's royal guards unit on Sunday hoisting inflatable rubber ducks high above their heads, a whimsical show of force by a pro-democracy movement calling for curbs to the power of the monarchy. The yellow toy has been harnessed as a symbol by the protesters, whose leaders have emphasised peaceful tactics despite recent use of water cannon and tear gas by security forces. But their demands to reform the kingdom's u

Thousands of democracy activists blocked a major junction in Bangkok for several hours on Friday to rehearse "coup prevention" strategies in the latest round of Thailand's anti-government protests.The country 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.Prayut, who came to power in a 2014 coup, this week played down the prospects of being overthrown or introd

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

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

Thai police on Sunday fired water cannon on pro-democracy protesters who were trying to march to the royal palace to deliver letters demanding reform to the unassailable monarchy.Student-led rallies have rocked the kingdom since July, with protesters calling for the removal of Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha - a former army chief who came into power through a 2014 coup - and a rewrite to the military-scripted constitution. The boldest in the leaderless movement have also demanded reforms t

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

Thailand's embattled premier announced Wednesday he might lift an emergency decree that has failed to stifle a growing protest movement demanding his resignation and reforms to the monarchy.After a day of anti-government and rival royalist protests across the country, thousands of angry democracy activists marched on Government House, defying an emergency decree imposed last week banning gatherings of more than four people.As they chanted for him to resign, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-c