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

Tensions are rising around Thailand's pro-democracy protests, with police shooting six people last week and using tear gas and water cannon on the streets of Bangkok.As the Thai capital braces for the next major rally on Wednesday, let’s take a look at the forces in play and what might come next in a country with a long history of political unrest.Protesters Getting Tough After four months of rallies, sometimes involving tens of thousands of demonstrators, the mood is getting to

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

Thousands of democracy activists marched on Thailand's police headquarters in Bangkok Wednesday, defacing the compound walls with brightly coloured paint, a day after chaotic protests left more than 50 injured.The kingdom has been rocked by months of protests demanding constitutional reform, the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and even changes to the untouchable monarchy.Protesters - numbering some 20,000 according to a media estimate - packed a major intersection in the hear

Thai democracy activists vowed Tuesday to return to the streets after police fired water cannon and tear gas on demonstrators in the most violent clashes seen since the protest movement erupted in July.41 people were injured as protesters forced through police barricades towards parliament in Bangkok, where lawmakers were debating possible changes to the military-scripted constitution. Student-led rallies have rocked Thailand for months, demanding a constitutional overhaul and the re

Trapped under a mountain of crippling debt, Cambodian farmer Roeurn Reth fears she will have to sell her land to repay microfinance loans that have ballooned due to pandemic-spurred job losses in her family.What started as a US$3,000 sum from a loan shark for her son's wedding has now grown to about US$7,000, she says - the result of additional financial needs that have cropped up.Her sons - who crossed illegally into neighbouring Thailand - previously sent money home to help with repaym

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

There will be no Cambodian Spring anytime soon. This is the sobering reality to a question so tempting to ask – particularly in the shadow of what’s happening in Thailand and now in Lao PDR. So, why won’t a civil society uprising happen in Cambodia soon?

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