Thai Protesters Gather In Downtown Bangkok Again, Call For Release Of Detained Activists

Thousands of people joined an opposition demonstration in central Bangkok on Thursday despite detentions of protest leaders a day ago and an emergency decree banning gatherings of more than five people, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene

BANGKOK (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2020) Thousands of people joined an opposition demonstration in central Bangkok on Thursday despite detentions of protest leaders a day ago and an emergency decree banning gatherings of more than five people, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene.

The demonstrators have called for the release of opposition activists and urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign.

Opposition supporters started to gather at the Ratchaprasong intersection at 04:00 p.m. local time (07:00 GMT). Despite the deployment of some 2,000 police officers, the Ratchadamri road, one of the widest in Thailand's capital, was filled with protesters by 05:30 p.m.

Student activist Panupong Jadnok, also known as Mike Rayong, the only protest leader who was not arrested on Wednesday, said that people will not back down and urged the police to "take a day off," during his address to the crowd.

The activist also called on the prime minister to resign and said that the Thai people will not allow "the comeback of the military dictatorship." Rayong also told protesters that soldiers have arrived at the parliament building.

The police have warned protesters that the rally is not allowed to continue later than 06:00 p.m. Nonetheless, Rayong said that the demonstration will go ahead regardless.

According to the correspondent, the protest is going ahead as of 06:00 p.m.

The anti-government protests have been underway in Thailand for several months. In addition to the resignation of Chan-o-cha, who came to power as a result of the 2014 coup, the protesters also demand the government to adopt a new constitution and reform the monarchy.