Reactions to the 2020 Thai protests

Last updated

This is a description of domestic and international reactions to the 2020 Thai protests.

Contents

State response and arrests

Thai authorities have summoned university chancellors to order them to prevent students from demanding monarchy reform and to draw up lists of student protest leaders, warning that student demands could lead to violence, specifically referencing the Thammasat University Massacre of student protesters by far-right paramilitary groups and the 1992 Black May massacre by the Thai military. [1] An Isaan Record analysis found that the government response has included force and intimidation, arbitrary detention, arrests and changes, disinformation, the deployment of military Information and Operations (information warfare) units, media censorship, delaying tactics, obfuscation, support for pro-government groups, gaslighting, and negotiation. [2] In late August, it was reported that the Government Public Relations Department of Thailand had released two propaganda videos on YouTube attacking the protesters, leading to a reaction on social media accusing the government office of creating disunity. They were later denied access. [3] The existence of an information warfare unit participating in a cyber campaign against government critics was leaked to the public in late February 2020. [4]

General Apirat Kongsompong, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, expressed concerns that some students' actions were inclined to lèse majesté. He cried while vowing his loyalty to the King. [5] In a Facebook post, Colonel Nutsara Woraphatharathorn, former spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army, dubbed the protesters “Mob Mung Ming” (ม็อบมุ้งมิ้ง; lit. 'adorable mob'). Her action was widely criticised for being partisan. The term Mob Mung Ming was later used in many protests; one organised by the Seri Thoey group on 25 July also incorporated the term in its event's name. [6] Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a notable politician from a junior coalition partner, expressed concern about implications for COVID-19 spread whilst signaling that he was neutral about the protestors' demands. [7]

Some universities and schools responded by forbidding their staff and students to join the protests and by banning gathering on their grounds, claiming COVID-19 concerns. Satri Phatthalung School in Phatthalung Province was sent a warning by the local police. [8] On 23 July, the dean of Prince of Songkhla University, Pattani Province Campus warned the students not to organise a demonstration on its grounds. The protest, however, went on and called for the dean's resignation in addition to the three demands. [9] On 18 August, a department in the Ministry of Education allowed rallies in its schools, only forbidding outsiders to join. [10]

Anon Nampa unwillingly dragged on 7 August. Anon Nampha Arrested 07082020.jpg
Anon Nampa unwillingly dragged on 7 August.

On 7 August, watchdog organization iLaw reported at least 78 incidents of intimidation of protest sympathizers. [11] Anon Nampa (Thai : อานนท์ นำภา), a leading figure of the protest, was arrested on multiple charges, including sedition, [12] after giving a public speech calling for monarchy reforms. [13] His arrest warrant, however, cited his participation in 18 July protest. [14] Another Free Youth leader was also arrested. Amnesty International Thailand released a statement demanding removal of all charges and protection of the right to protest. [15] On 9 August, five youth leaders in Phitsanulok Province were arrested without charge. An unnamed Thai police source reported that they were kept in custody in a Border Patrol Police camp to dissuade a local protest event. [16] One female member said she was approached by the officers at her dormitory. [17] On 14 August, student leader Parit Chiwarak was arrested on the outskirts of Bangkok. Police officers showed an arrest warrant, then carried him into a vehicle. [18]

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Arrest of student leader Parit Chiwarak on 14 August (3:09, in Thai), YouTube video.

The Asia Times quoted a government official stating that the King was not bothered by the "children's" protests and that they should be able to express their views. [19] This position may be contradicted by an Al Jazeera article, stating that there were reports that the Thai monarchy has asked Thai media to censor any mention of the ten demands. [20]

On 20 August, nine were arrested and later released on bail, including Anon Nampa, who was arrested for the second time. [21] Officers reportedly visited the home of a three-year-old who had displayed a The Hunger Games -style three-finger salute. [22] A police document stating that mobile jamming devices were used on 23 August was leaked to the media. The police confirmed the authenticity. [23] In late August, student groups reported that at least 109 schools had suppressed or intimidated political expression. [24] On 25 August, police arrested four student leaders, Arnon Nampa, Suwanna Tanlek, Parit Chiwarak and Piyarat Jongthep, for multiple charges, including sedition. [25] On 28 August 15 further activists were charged. [26] In early September, the police summonsed the first schoolchild protester for violating the Emergency Decree and the Public Assembly Act. [27]

On 24 August, in response to a Thai government order, Facebook blocked access in Thailand to the million-member main Facebook page critical of the monarchy, Royalist Marketplace, administered by self-exiled academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun. Hundreds of thousands had switched to a replacement page within hours, and the site had 900,000 members by 30 August. [28] Facebook is challenging the order in the courts. [29]

A few days before a scheduled mass student protest on 19 September, Thammasat University's faculty of law stated that state security had asked the university to close on that day. [30]

The authorities attempted to block more than 2,200 websites ahead of the 19 September rally. [31] Following the rally, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, filed a complaint with police to prosecute Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for failing to delete posts in a timely manner, the first time the Computer Crimes Act has been used against foreign service providers. [32]

Prayut blamed the protesters for further damaging the country's economy ahead of the planned 14 October rally. [33]

On 16 October, the BBC reported that the Thai government had blocked access to Change.org after a petition calling for Germany to declare the King persona non grata attracted nearly 130,000 signatures. [34]

After the declaration of a severe state of emergency, police moved to ban or block independent and critical media under the emergency decree, specifically Prachathai.com, The Reporters, The Standard, and Voice TV, together with the Free Youth movement Facebook page. The Free Youth and the United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration reacted by switching from their Facebook pages to the Telegram messaging app; government critic and former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala criticized police actions as regressing to "complete dictatorship". [35] The police seized books criticizing the monarchy. [36] Ministry of Digital Economy and Society stated it intended to prosecute internet service providers and online platforms which allows prohibited content. It also reported about 320,000 illegal messages. [37] In response, the National Press Council of Thailand, the National Union of Journalists Thailand, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, the Online News Providers Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, and the Thai Journalists Association issued a joint statement opposing media freedom suppression and urged the government not to misuse the law by repressing the media, warning that lack of access to information could cause more people to join the demonstrations and destabilize the political situation, risking violence. Thammasat University's faculty of journalism and mass communications issued a similar statement, insisting on access to information as a basic right and urging the government to permit the media operate independently. [38]

On 18 October, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai asked parliament officials to schedule an unofficial meeting with government and opposition representatives on 23 October to discuss an extraordinary parliamentary session, which would require a royal decree, to consider amending the constitution. [39] Conditional on royal approval, the Thai Cabinet has backed the proposal for a two-day extraordinary meeting from 26 October. [40]

On 21 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed foreign diplomats and required them to obtain advance permission to observe protests. [41] The same day, Prayut suggested the impasse be resolved by lifting the state of emergency and through dialogue via the special parliamentary session. [42] In response, protesters, who had moved towards Government House after assembling at Victory Monument, delivered an ultimatum to Prayut to release detained activists and resign within three days, or encounter renewed demonstrations. [43] Nationally, tens of thousands of people, led by administrators, participated in pro-royalist parades, many held to officially commemorate to the 120th birthday anniversary of Princess Srinagarindra, the king's late grandmother. [44]

On 22 October, the National Human Rights Commission welcomed the government's lifting the emergency decree and its stance of resolving the political conflict via parliamentary processes. [45]

On 9 February, the Ratsadon group, Arnon, Parit, Panupong, [46] Patipan Luecha, and Somyot were arrested and detained, charges of Lèse-majesté and 10 other offenses, including sedition, over 19–20 September protest by Pol Lt Col Chok-amnuay Wongboonrit, Chana Songkhram police. The court denied them bail, remanded them in the Bangkok Remand Prison. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed concern. United Nations human rights experts condemned on rising lese-majeste cases. [47] After the Court of Appeal, The court rejected a request and cited their disrespect for the monarchy and they posed a flight risk. In front of Bangkok Remand Prison, Prachak Kongkirati, Yukti Mukdawichit, Boonlert Wisetpreecha from Thammasat University and Puangthong Pawakrapan from Chulalongkorn University claiming to represent 255 lecturers at 31 universities and educations read out a statement calling for their release. [48] Human Rights Watch said that the country may returns to the dark days by abusing the law and demanded the Thai government to conform with Thailand's international human rights law obligations. [49]

On 8 March, Panusaya was arrested and the court denied her bail. [50]

On 15 March, Arnon wrote the petition, fear of death threat, to the Criminal Court while he was temporarily released to perform his lawyer duty, that prison officials tried four times to take Jatupat and Panupong out to test COVID-19 at night which was an unusual time. Arnon found it suspicious and there was rumours that they will be sent to hurt or kill. [51]

On 8 April, Arnon, Jatupat, and Somyot signed a letter expressing their intention to withdraw their lawyer from the trial because he cited lack of due fairness in the court so was therefore no longer required to defend them. While Patipan was released by bail, Parit and Panusaya had committed hunger strike until he get a bail. [52]

On 23 April, Jatupat and Somyot were released on bail. [53]

In May 2021 bail was granted to Parit, Panusaya and Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan. [54] [50]

On 1 June 2021, Panupong was released on bail from Bangkok Remand Prison, detained for 86 days. [55]

On 6 June, Arnon was granted bail and released. [56]

On 9 August, Arnon, Jatupat, Parit, and Panupong [55] were revoked from bail. They have been in jail since 9 August until today on lese majeste and sedition charges. [57]

On 7 October, Benja Apan was arrested on lèse majesté charge related to the 10 August 2021 'Car Mob' protest, demanding political and monarchy reform. She was denied bail and imprisoned await trial in Central Women Correctional Institution. [58]

On 15 September, Panupong was released from the Thanyaburi Remand Prison. But later on 24 September 2021, Panupong has been denied bail and detained on Lèse-majesté charge filed for a Facebook post about monarchy reform. He has been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison since then. [59]

On 4 November, Benja Apan was sentenced to 6 months in prison on contempt of court on 29 April 2021, demanding the release of imprisoned activists. It was a maximum jail term according to her lawyer. Nutchanon Pairoj was sentenced to 4 months in prison, but was later released by bail. [60]

Support

In August, a Move Forward Party MP stated that some references to the monarchy in the protests (e.g. mockery, sarcastic comments, memes) are inconvenient truths that need attention. He received stark responses from Manager Online and General Apirat Kongsompong, who insisted that some protesters intended to overthrow the monarchy, or had fallen victim to some manipulators with such intent. [61]

Two opposition members of parliament displayed the three-finger gesture in parliament to show support for the movements, the first being Move Forward Party MP Yanathicha Buapuean in late August, [62] followed by Pheu Thai Party MP Anudith Nakornthap in early September [63] Also in early September, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Sompong Amornwiwat, stated the motion from the opposition coalition to amend Article 256 was aligned with the demands of the protesters, who demanded a new constitution. [64] On 9 September, the leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, stated in parliament that the students in the movements wished to be free of Thailand's bureaucratic and educational systems. [65] Both, he stated, are what prevent Thailand from moving forward because the Thai bureaucracy is inflexible and nepotistic, while the Thai education system is archaic, which results in students being exposed to authoritarianism. [65]

Despite threats to their careers, [66] many Thai celebrities have publicly expressed their support for the protesters. Some examples are Thai Miss Universe Maria Poonlertlarp, [66] actress Intira Jaroenpura, [67] popular Thai YouTuber Heart Rocker, [68] film director Songyos Sugmakanan, actor and singer Perawat Sangpotirat, actor Sadanon Durongkaveroj, and blogger Amta Chittasenee. [69] Five members of Thai idol girl group BNK48 have also voiced their support for the movements: 'Music' Praewa Suthamphong, 'Jennis' Jennis Oprasert, 'Khamin' Manipa Roopanya, 'Faii' Sumitra Duangkaew, [70] and 'Kheng' Juthamas Khonta. [71]

Regarding comments by Prime Minister Prayut that the student protesters were destroying their future employment opportunities by engaging in political activism, human resource specialist Sophon Phukaoluan countered that only those with political ambition or conflicts of interest would be affected. [72]

A group of 147 university faculty members has issued a statement saying the protesters' demand of monarchical reform did not violate the law. The Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights, another group of 358 scholars, has also expressed full support for the protesters. [73]

On 18 August, UNICEF issued a statement invoking the Convention on the Rights of the Child that called for schools and learning institutions to be safe havens and forums for children's freedom of expression and pointing out that children who are confronted with the law must receive support and experience appropriate juvenile proceedings, "without the use of violence, intimidation or threats". [74] [75]

On 31 August, the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok voiced support for Thai-Swedish Maria Poonlertlarp for speaking out about democracy and equality. [76]

Human rights group Amnesty International condemned the 15 October crackdown, as the protests were "overwhelmingly peaceful." [77]

Rumours that Prayut would resign gathered pace in mid-October. [78] The Severe State of Emergency led to a 17 October Khaosod English editorial calling for Prayut to resign on the basis he had lost all legitimacy. The editorial's analysis noted that police had attacked and dispersed protesters outside Government House on 15 October, while the protesters were dispersing as requested by protest leaders, and that any public challenges against Prayut's government were now banned and incurred up to two years in prison. It further noted that the authorities had threatened mass arrests, [79] thereby indicating the government could no longer distinguish between protesters and criminals, and that the deployment of soldiers at Parliament and suspension of all sessions mentioning politics had effectively terminated legislative power. It further noted up to 101 law professors and political scientists had issued an open letter questioning the legality of the Severe State of Emergency due to the lack of a national security threat such as terrorism or widespread violence. The editorial criticized the level of violence in the police dispersal of peaceful demonstrators on 16 October and mass arrests and the arrest of an accredited reporter for its effect on media freedom. [80]

On 19 October, the Bangkok Post editorial called for Prayut to "listen to the young" in order to defuse the increasing political tension to prevent it escalating into violence that could severely destabilize the entire country and urged him to address reform of the constitution and of the senate; [81] it reiterated its call for the government to listen to youth on 25 October. [45]

The King's position

The King and the palace initially did not express any public opinion about the protests. In August, the Asia Times quoted a government official stating that the King was not bothered by the "children's" protests, [82] but an Al Jazeera article reported that the Thai monarchy has asked Thai media to censor mention of the ten demands. [83]

On 16 October, a speech by Vajiralongkorn the day before was made public, stating: "Now it is understood that the country needs people who love the country and love the monarchy". [84] On 24 October, a video of the King praising former PDRC leader and ex-monk Buddha Issara and another counter-protester who raised a picture of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a protest was posted to a royalist Facebook group; [85] royalists embraced it, while the protesters viewed the comment as a position statement, prompting the hashtag #23ตุลาตาสว่าง (23Oct Eyes Opened) to trend on the country's Twitter. [86] He made the first public comment in November: that he "love them [Thai people] all the same," and "Thailand is the land of compromise." [87]

Patrick Jory, a senior lecturer in Southeast Asian history at the University of Queensland, described the unpredictable nature of the King, "his willingness to use violence," and that he may pressured Prayut to suppress the protesters. [88]

Opposition

State-sponsored [89] organized opposition to the protests emerged in August and included the accusation of a global conspiracy being funded or masterminded by foreign government or NGOs. On 10 August, the Thai Move Institute, which contains members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, released a diagram of an alleged "people's revolution network" linking student protests to former Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. [90] [91] In the same month, a pro-government Facebook page, 'Thailand Vision', asserted the existence of a 'global conspiracy' with the goal of overthrowing the Thai monarchy, alleged to be orchestrated by Amnesty International, Axel Springer, Bild, Business Insider, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, George Soros and the Open Society Foundations, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Netflix, and many more. [92] [93] Some of its supporters cited support for watchdog organisation iLaw (Internet Law Reform Dialogue) [94] by the US-based, non-profit, non governmental [95] or quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization [96] [97] the National Endowment for Democracy as 'evidence' of the global conspiracy. [45] On 30 August, approximately 1,000–1,200 mostly older royalists of the 'Thai Pakdee' (Loyal Thai) group, founded by right-wing politician Warong Dechgitvigrom, rallied in Bangkok and similarly alleged foreign 'interference'. [98] [99] On 31 August, the United States Embassy in Bangkok formally denied allegations of funding any protesters. [100]

After the demands on monarchy reform were raised in early August, rightist media and organizations quickly attacked them. A Naewna columnist commented that the call to reform the monarchy is an act of evil, causing disunity, and undermining the monarchy under the disguise of protest against the government and for a constitutional amendment. The columnist also accused Pheu Thai and the former Future Forward Party of manipulating the protesters. [101] Most politicians expressed a negative reaction to the demands, including Sudarat Keyuraphan, an influential Pheu Thai politician. [102] On social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, user accounts, including ones coordinated by the state-sponsored, ultra-royalist, Rubbish Collection Organization, [103] which has been characterized as fascist, [lower-alpha 1] accuse the student protesters of being anti-monarchists, rebels, traitors, and human 'garbage'. [107] [108]

Opposition to high school students involvement include a minimum of 103 cases of harassment of students. [109] Some online insults attacking female child protesters went so far as to urging their rape. [110] In mid-September, the Bad Students group tweeted that some of its members had encountered family and financial problems for participating in the protests. [111]

Phumiwat Raengkasiwit (ภูมิวัฒน์ แรงกสิวิทย์), an activist from the group Nawachiwin who had begun a hunger strike on 23 July in front of Sappaya-Sapasathan, the meeting place of the Thai parliament, to emphasize the extreme poverty due to COVID-19 mismanagement. [112] However, on 18 August, it was reported that he had distanced himself from the Free Youth movement, accusing the protesters of foreign government and NGO support, while he himself was accused of being a police informer. [113]

Many groups and individuals have condemned the protesting tactics, and some considered a protester's act of hurling paint at police officers to be violent. [114] [115] Opponents also find vulgar language used by protest leaders unacceptable. [116]

On 16 September, Thailand's Constitutional Court accepted a complaint of treason against three leaders of the 10 August demonstration at Thammasat University filed by Nattaporn Toprayoon, an ultra-royalist. [117] [118] On 17 September, a small group of pro-government protesters came to the Thai Summit Building (office of Thanathorn's family business) claiming that Thanathorn was behind the protests. [119]

Notes

  1. ↑ See its characterisation in: [104] [105] [106]

Related Research Articles

Human rights in Thailand have long been a contentious issue. The country was among the first to sign the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and seemed committed to upholding its stipulations; in practice, however, those in power have often abused the human rights of the Thai nation with impunity. From 1977 to 1988, Amnesty International (AI) reported that there were whitewashed cases of more than one thousand alleged arbitrary detentions, fifty forced disappearances, and at least one hundred instances of torture and extrajudicial killings. In the years since then, AI demonstrated that little had changed, and Thailand's overall human rights record remained problematic. A 2019 HRW report expanded on AI's overview as it focuses specifically on the case of Thailand, as the newly government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha assumes power in mid-2019, Thailand's human rights record shows no signs of change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prayut Chan-o-cha</span> Prime Minister of Thailand from 2014 to 2023

Prayut Chan-o-cha is a former Thai politician and army officer who became the 29th prime minister of Thailand after seized power in the 2014 coup d'état and served until 2023. He was concurrently the minister of defence in his own government from 2019 to 2023. Prayut served as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army from 2010 to 2014 and led the coup d'état which installed the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the military junta which governed Thailand between 22 May 2014 and 10 July 2019.

<i>Lèse-majesté</i> in Thailand Thai prohibition on denigrating the monarch

In Thailand, lèse-majesté is a crime according to Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code. It is illegal to defame, insult, or threaten any member of the Thai royal family. Modern Thai lèse-majesté law has been on the statute books since 1908. Thailand is the only constitutional monarchy to have strengthened its lèse-majesté law since World War II. With penalties ranging from three to fifteen years imprisonment for each count, it has been described as the "world's harshest lèse majesté law" and "possibly the strictest criminal-defamation law anywhere". Its enforcement has been described as being "in the interest of the palace".

Education for Liberation of Siam is a group of high school students who demand reform of the Thai education system. The core members were from the Thailand Educational Revolution Alliance. The group was established on 2 December 2013 by Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, who was the first secretary of the group, followed by Nattanan Warintawaret. The group created a fan page on Facebook called "The Education for Liberation of Siam" to be a platform for disseminating information concerning misconducts and questionable actions made by politicians or figures of authority that have an effect on the Thai educational community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Thai coup d'état</span> Military coup in Thailand

On 22 May 2014, the Royal Thai Armed Forces, led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, launched a coup d'état, the twelfth since the country's first coup in 1932, against the caretaker government following six months of political crisis. The military established a junta called the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to govern the nation. The coup ended the political conflict between the military-led regime and democratic power, which had been present since the 2006 Thai coup d'état known as the "unfinished coup". Seven years later, it developed into the 2020–2021 Thai protests to reform the monarchy of Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jatupat Boonpattararaksa</span> Thai human rights activist (born 1991)

Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, commonly known as Pai Dao Din is a Thai human rights defender and political activist, who was arrested on 3 December 2016 on charges of Lèse-majesté in Thailand, the first such case under King Vajiralongkorn, following which he faced a secret trial and was then imprisoned. He has been charged and imprisoned multiple times, including for sedition, and most recently, on 9 March 2021, was charged and imprisoned for lese majesty a second time. Jatupat is presently affiliated with the Free People movement.

The year 2020 is the 239th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Thailand. It is the fifth year in the reign of King Vajiralongkorn, and is reckoned as year 2563 in the Buddhist Era. The year was most significantly marked the by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which reached Thailand in January, as well as widespread youth-led protest movements against the government and for reform of the monarchy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wanchalearm Satsaksit</span> Thai pro-democracy activist

Wanchalearm Satsaksit is a Thai pro-democracy activist and political exile. He was an activist for human rights in Thailand and HIV protection in various countries. Wanchalearm is an alleged lèse majesté offender according to a report released in 2015, which claimed that he took refuge in Laos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–2021 Thai protests</span> Pro-democracy demonstrations and other civil disobedience in Thailand

In Thailand, protests began in early 2020 with demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. They later expanded to include the unprecedented demands for reform of the Thai monarchy. The protests were initially triggered by the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP) in late February 2020 which was critical of Prayut, the changes to the Thai constitution in 2017, and the country's political landscape that it gave rise to.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnon Nampa</span> Thai human rights activist, lawyer and political activist

Arnon Nampa is a Thai human rights lawyer and activist known for his critical stance on the monarchy of Thailand, a subject that is highly controversial in the country. Originally celebrated as a leading human rights defender, Nampa's involvement in pro-democracy movements has led to numerous criminal charges. He emerged as a key figure in the 2020–2021 Thai protests, advocating for unprecedented reforms to the monarchy by non-elite groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parit Chiwarak</span> Thai political activist (born 1998)

Parit Chiwarak, nicknamed Penguin, is a Thai political activist, Thammasat University student at the Faculty of Political Science, and one of the leaders of the 2020–2021 Thai protests, via the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration group. As of August 2021, he was recently imprisoned again; his bail had been revoked "after a court accepted a prosecution submission that he had broken bail conditions".

Panupong Jadnok is a social activist, Ramkhamhaeng University student, and a leading protester in the 2020 Thai protests, from the Eastern Youth Leadership group, currently facing multiple charges including sedition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2020 Thai protests (August 2020)</span>

On 3 August, a Harry Potter-themed demonstration was held, openly criticised the monarchy, and demanded amendment of increasing royal prerogative and lèse majesté law. The protest, which 200 people joined, featured a public speech by Anon Nampa. Paul Chambers, Southeast Asian politics scholar, noted, "Such open criticism of Thailand’s monarch by non-elites at a public place within Thailand with the police simply standing by is the first of its kind in Thai history."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2020 Thai protests (September 2020)</span>

On 5 September, approximately 300 members of the Bad Student group protested at the Ministry of Education for their three demands, i.e., an end to government harassment, reform of outdated regulations, and reform of the entire education system, delivering an ultimatum that the Education Minister should otherwise resign. A few days later, a debate was held between the Bad Student group and Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan, where a student representative raised the issues of restriction of freedom of political expression, arbitrary and physical punishments, and failure to protect students from sexual predators. The minister agreed to some of the issues but rejected some points, such as abandoning uniforms.

On 1 November, an estimate of over 10,000 yellow-shirted royalists demonstrated their support for the King at the Grand Palace, where he had participated in a religious ceremony at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benja Apan</span> 2020-2021 Thai protests co-leader

Benja Apan is a Thai student and activist. She is one of the leaders of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) group that agitated for revolutionary reforms to the monarchy on 10 August 2020. She became a prominent UFTD leader later in 2021. In the 2020–2021 Thai protests, she co-organized the German embassy in Bangkok protest in 2020 to pressure the King that resided in Germany, drawing more than 10,000 protesters. In August 2021, she led UFTD 'Car Mob' protest. She was arrested by Thong Lor police for lèse majesté following her reforms to the monarchy speech in front of Sino-Thai tower. She had been imprisoned awaiting trial for 100 days in Central Women Correctional Institution from 7 October 2021 to 14 January 2022, and she was sentenced to 6 months in prison for contempt of court along the way.

Tantawan Tuatulanon, nicknamed Tawan ; is a Thai student and activist who is facing legal proceedings in Thailand for violating the country's lèse-majesté laws.

References

  1. ↑ "Exclusive: Thailand tells universities to stop students' calls for monarchy reform". www.msn.com. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  2. ↑ Chotanan, Patawee. "Dancing with dictatorship: how the government is dealing with the Free Youth movement".
  3. ↑ "แห่ดิสไลค์ คลิปกรมประชาฯ โวยรัฐใช้ภาษีทำคลิปดิสเครดิตม็อบเยาวชน". ไทยรัฐ (in Thai). 22 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  4. ↑ BBC News (26 February 2020). "อภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจรัฐบาล : ส.ส. จากพรรคที่เพิ่งถูกยุบกล่าวหากองทัพใช้เงินภาษีทำสงครามจิตวิทยากับผู้เห็นต่างทางสื่อสังคมออนไลน์". BBC News.
  5. ↑ ""บิ๊กแดง" น้ำตาคลอ! เปิดใจถึงม็อบ นศ. เตือนอย่าใช้วาจาจาบจ้วง". Channel 8 (in Thai). 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "#MGRTOP7 : "บอส อยู่วิทยา" คุกไทยมีไว้ขังคนจน? — "ม็อบมุ้งมิ้ง" เฝ้ามองไม่คุกคาม — "สุริยะ+นิติตะวัน" พ่าย "จันทร์โอชา"". MGR Online (in Thai). 25 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  7. ↑ "จับตา! #ม็อบไม่มุ้งมิ้งแต่ตุ้งติ้ง ทวง 3 ข้อรัฐบาล". ThaiPBS (in Thai). 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "ด่วน! ตร.พัทลุง ทำหนังสือถึงโรงเรียน สั่งห้าม นร.-นศ. ชุมนุมไล่รัฐบาล". Khaosod (in Thai). 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "แฟลชม็อบ พรึ่บ มอ.ปัตตานี เมินอธิการ ห้ามชุมนุมในมหาวิทยาลัย". Khaosod (in Thai). 23 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "ให้ทุกรร.สังกัดสพฐ.อนุญาตเด็กจัดชุมนุมแต่ห้ามคนนอกร่วม". เนชั่น (in Thai). 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  11. ↑ "สำรวจแนวการชุมนุมประชาชนหนุน-ต้านรัฐบาล" [Investigate protest line support-against government.]. BBC ไทย (in Thai). Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  12. ↑ "อานนท์ นำภา" โดนรวบจับแล้ว ข้อหายุยงปลุกปั่น Nation TV. 7 August 2020
  13. ↑ "โดนจับแล้ว 'อานนท์ นำภา' ตามหมายจับศาลอาญา". Bangkok BizNews. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  14. ↑ ผมโดนจับแล้ว” ทนายอานนท์ นำภา แจ้งข่าวผ่านเฟซบุ๊ก พร้อมโชว์หมายจับจากตำรวจ. The MATTER. 7 August 2020
  15. ↑ "ศาลยังไม่รับฝากขัง "อานนท์" และ "ภานุพงศ์"". BBC News ไทย (in Thai). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  16. ↑ matichon (9 August 2020). "3 แกนนำเยาวชนยังหายตัวปริศนา ส.ส.พิษณุโลก เผย ตชด.ปฏิเสธ ไม่ได้คุมตัว". มติชนออนไลน์ (in Thai). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  17. ↑ English, Khaosod (10 August 2020). "Anti-Govt Protesters Detained, Given 'Attitude Adjustment' in Jungle". Khaosod English. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "Thai police arrest another leader of student protests". Reuters. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  19. ↑ Crispin, Shawn W. (18 August 2020). "New generation of daring resistance in Thailand". Asia Times. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  20. ↑ "Thai PM says protesters' call for monarchy reform 'went too far'". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "Thai police arrest nine in sweep against activists". BBC News. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  22. ↑ "แห่แชร์!! เจ้าหน้าที่ตามหา 'เด็กอนุบาล 3 ขวบ' ถึงบ้าน หลัง ชู 3 นิ้วต้านเผด็จการ". Matichon Online (in Thai). 22 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  23. ↑ "รอง ผบช.น.รับออกหนังสือคำสั่งใช้รถตัดสัญญาณจริง". Komchadluek (in Thai). 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  24. ↑ "เปิดชื่อ 109 รร. คุกคาม นร. "ผูกโบว์ขาว-ชู 3 นิ้ว"". BBC Thai (in Thai). Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  25. ↑ "Student leaders nabbed for July rally". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  26. ↑ "15 activists facing charges for Free Youth protest report to police". Prachatai English. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  27. ↑ "High school student summoned for Ratchaburi protest". Prachatai. 10 September 2020.
  28. ↑ Rojanaphruk, Pravit; Writer, Senior Staff (30 August 2020). "Opinion: The Irony of a Facebook Group Critical of the Monarchy". Khaosod English. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  29. ↑ "Facebook blocks group critical of Thai monarchy". BBC News. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  30. ↑ "Occupy Thammasat: What to expect at 19 September protest". Prachatai English. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  31. ↑ "Thailand to block 2,000 websites ahead of pro-democracy protests". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  32. ↑ Ngamkham, Wassayos. "Govt taking legal action against major social media providers". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  33. ↑ "Prayut says the economic situation will not recover because of the protesters". Thai Enquirer. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  34. ↑ "Thailand blocks Change.org as petition against king gains traction". BBC News. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  35. ↑ "Police move to silence news, Facebook platforms". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  36. ↑ "ตำรวจบุก "ฟ้าเดียวกัน" ตรวจยึดหนังสือวิจารณ์สถาบันกษัตริย์". Manager Online (in Thai). 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  37. ↑ "ช่วงม็อบพบโพสต์ผิดพรก. 3.2 แสนข้อความ จ่อฟันคนโพสต์-สื่อ-นักการเมือง". Khaosod (in Thai). 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  38. ↑ "Media groups warn govt". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  39. ↑ "House mulls meet to end unrest". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  40. ↑ "Cabinet agrees special parliament amid protests". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 October 2020– via Bloomberg.
  41. ↑ Raksaseri, Kornchanok. "You can observe rallies, envoys told". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  42. ↑ "PM offers end to 'emergency'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  43. ↑ "Protesters give Prayut deadline to resign, release activists". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  44. ↑ "Crowds rally in provinces in support of monarchy". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  45. 1 2 3 "Prayut lifts state of emergency". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  46. ↑ "Thailand: Activists Jailed for Criticizing Monarchy". Human Rights Watch. 9 March 2021.
  47. ↑ "Thai activists jailed pending trial for royal insults". Reuters. 9 February 2021.
  48. ↑ "No bail for protest leaders". Bangkok Post. 16 February 2021.
  49. ↑ "The 4 "Ratsadon" leading figures bail denial is a breach of presumption of innocence". Prachatai English. 12 February 2021.
  50. 1 2 "'Rung' released on bail after 59 days". Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post.
  51. ↑ "Arnon questions prison's nighttime Covid testing". Bangkok Post. 16 March 2021.
  52. ↑ "Patiwat gets bail as protest cohorts stew". Bangkok Post. 10 April 2021.
  53. ↑ "Activists Somyot, Pai Dao Din walk free on bail". Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post.
  54. ↑ "Bail approved for 'Penguin', 'Ammy'". Bangkok Post.
  55. 1 2 "Detained protesters, leaders denied bail". Prachatai English.
  56. ↑ "Thai court approves bail for protest leaders jailed over royal insult". Reuters. 1 June 2021.
  57. ↑ "Thailand: Arbitrary detention of eight pro-democracy activists". International Federation for Human Rights. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  58. ↑ "Student activist arrested, denied bail on royal defamation charge". Prachatai English. 7 October 2021.
  59. ↑ "Activist detained pending trial on royal defamation charge". Prachatai English. 24 September 2021.
  60. ↑ "Student activists sentenced to jail for contempt of court". Prachatai English. 4 November 2021.
  61. ↑ "ยอมรับแล้ว! "ปิยบุตร" ยืมปาก "พิธา" เฉลย "ล้มเจ้า" ในม็อบ "สาธิต" นักธุรกิจอินเดียรักในหลวงขอถก "บิ๊กแดง"". mgronline.com (in Thai). 23 July 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  62. ↑ Burton, Jack (27 August 2020). "Progressive MP raises "3 finger salute" in Parliament". The Thaiger.
  63. ↑ ตรีสุวรรณ, หทัยกาญจน์ (9 September 2020). "ประชุมสภา : ประยุทธ์ลั่น "ไม่ได้มีปัญหา" กับ นร.-นศ. หลังถูกฝ่ายค้านรุมกดดันให้ลาออก". BBC News (in Thai).
  64. ↑ "เพื่อไทย แถลงการณ์ ของเสียงทุกฝ่ายให้ครบ 250 ดัน ตั้ง ส.ส.ร.แก้รธน". Thairath online (in Thai). 8 September 2020.
  65. 1 2 ""พิธา"ซัด "ประยุทธ์" ได้บริหารประเทศมากกว่านายกฯคนอื่น แต่ศก.ไทยพังยับ". Posttoday (in Thai). 9 September 2020.
  66. 1 2 Tun-atiruj, Choltanutkun (28 August 2020). "Maria Poonlertlarp: the price of having political opinions". thisrupt.co. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  67. ↑ English, Khaosod (4 September 2020). "Meet the Actress Who Funds Anti-Gov't Protests – And Is Proud of It". Khaosod English. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  68. ↑ S, Achi (20 July 2020). "เอก HRK และ โบ๊ะบ๊ะแฟมมิลี่ ออกมาแสดงจุดยืนทางการเมือง ถึงกลุ่ม เยาวชนปลดแอก". Bright Today (in Thai). Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  69. ↑ "Time to call out. Thai stars show solidarity with protest leader". workpointTODAY. 13 August 2020.
  70. ↑ "คอมเมนต์สนั่น! ปรากฏการณ์โซเชียลมูฟเมนต์ จากไอดอลสาว BNK 48". Amarin (in Thai). 19 July 2020.
  71. ↑ "ดารา-คนบันเทิง แห่โพสต์สนับสนุนเสรีภาพ ต้านการคุกคามประชาชน". Prachachat (in Thai). 14 August 2020.
  72. ↑ "โควิด-19 : นายจ้างหาอะไรใน CV เด็กจบใหม่ ในยุคเศรษฐกิจทรุด". BBC Thai (in Thai). 5 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  73. ↑ "Thailand's youth demo evolves to largest protest since 2014 coup". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  74. ↑ "UNICEF calls for the protection of children and young people amid protests in Thailand". www.unicef.org (in English and Thai). 18 August 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  75. ↑ "Unicef reminds Thailand of young people's right to safety, freedom of expression". The Nation. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  76. ↑ "Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok". Facebook. 31 August 2020.
  77. ↑ "Thailand: Police disperse pro-democracy protesters outside PM's office". Euro News. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  78. ↑ "Student Protests in Thailand: The End of Political Quiescence". ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  79. ↑ English, Khaosod (16 October 2020). "7 Arrested for Fresh Protest, Cops Threaten to Charge Everyone". Khaosod English. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  80. ↑ English, Khaosod (16 October 2020). "Editorial: Prayut Has Lost All Legitimacy. He Must Go". Khaosod English. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  81. ↑ "Listen to the young". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  82. ↑ Crispin, Shawn W. (18 August 2020). "New generation of daring resistance in Thailand". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  83. ↑ "Thai PM says protesters' call for monarchy reform 'went too far'". aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  84. ↑ Beech, Hannah (16 October 2020). "Thailand Steps Up Response as Antigovernment Protests Escalate". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  85. ↑ ""ในหลวง" ตรัส "กล้ามาก เก่งมาก ขอบใจ" ชายชูพระบรมฉายาลักษณ์ ร.๙ กลางผู้ประท้วง (ชมคลิป)". Manager Online (in Thai). 24 October 2020. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  86. ↑ "Thai king's praise for defiant loyalist draws controversy". Reuters. 24 October 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  87. ↑ Miller, Jonathan; Olarn, Kocha; Regan, Helen. "'Thailand is the land of compromise,' Thai King says in rare public comments". CNN. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  88. ↑ "Can Thai monarchy emerge unscathed as it faces its greatest challenge?". South China Morning Post. 31 October 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  89. ↑ "Cool heads must prevail". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  90. ↑ "สถาบันทิศทางไทย เปิดผังเครือข่ายปฏิวัติประชาชน(เพ้อฝัน)". Nation (in Thai). 10 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  91. ↑ "Thai protest icon is 'prepared' to cross kingdom's forbidden line". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  92. ↑ "A global conspiracy against the Thai Kingdom". thisrupt.co. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  93. ↑ Thailand Vision (29 August 2020). "BREAKING NEWS! เจาะลึกความเชื่อมโยง". Facebook.
  94. ↑ Stated $48,000. See: "THAILAND 2019". NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY.
  95. ↑ "National Endowment for Democracy is first 'undesirable' NGO banned in Russia". The Guardian. The Guardian. 28 July 2015.
  96. ↑ Dominguez, Jorge I. (2013). The Future of Inter-American Relations. Routledge. p. 429. ISBN   978-1-136-68424-1. 13: On NED and other QUANGO programs...
  97. ↑ Otsuru-Kitagawa, Chieko (1998). "The Role of QUANGO in American Democratic Assistance". International Relations. 1998 (119): 127–141. doi:10.11375/kokusaiseiji1957.119_127. eISSN   1883-9916.
  98. ↑ "Royalists rally to support monarchy". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  99. ↑ English, Khaosod (31 August 2020). "Royalists Slam 'Foreign Interference' in Major Counter-Rally". Khaosod English. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  100. ↑ English, Khaosod (31 August 2020). "U.S. Embassy Denies Funding Anti-Govt Protests". Khaosod English. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  101. ↑ "หยุดจาบจ้วงพระมหากษัตริย์". Naewna (in Thai). Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  102. ↑ "'สุดารัตน์'ติงไม่ควรก้าวล่วงสถาบัน วอนยึด3ข้อเรียกร้อง". เดลินิวส์ (in Thai). 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  103. ↑ Neumayer, Christina (22 December 2015), "Nationalist and Anti-Fascist Movements in Social Media", The Routledge Companion to Social Media and Politics, New York, NY: Routledge, pp. 296–307, doi:10.4324/9781315716299-22, ISBN   978-1-315-71629-9
  104. ↑ Sombatpoonsiri, Janjira; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2018). "Conservative Civil Society in Thailand". In Youngs, Richard (ed.). The mobilization of conservative civil society (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. pp. 27–32. OCLC   1059452133.
  105. ↑ Correspondent, Our. "Thailand Blocks Overseas Opposition Voice". www.asiasentinel.com. Retrieved 29 August 2020.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  106. ↑ "New Social Media and Politics in Thailand: The Emergence of Fascist Vigilante Groups on Facebook". ASEAS - Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies (in German). 9 (2): 215–234. 2016. ISSN   1999-2521. OCLC   7179244833.
  107. ↑ English, Khaosod (28 July 2020). "Royalist Campaign Tells Companies Not to Hire Protesters". Khaosod English. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  108. ↑ "Thai royalist seeks to shame, sack young protesters - UCA News". ucanews.com. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  109. ↑ "11th grader summoned by teacher, asked not to give protest speeches". Prachatai. 11 September 2020.
  110. ↑ ""Whores" & "Sluts": why "good people" love these insults". thisrupt.co. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  111. ↑ "นักเรียนเลว โอดเคลื่อนไหวทางการเมือง โดนครอบครัวขู่-ไล่ออกจากบ้าน". ข่าวสด (in Thai). 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  112. ↑ "อดข้าวประท้วง : เพราะรัฐบาลไม่เคยเห็นความอดอยากผู้คน นศ.เผยเหตุผลที่อดอาหารร้องรัฐบาลแก้ปัญหาปากท้อง". The Bangkok Insight (in Thai). 23 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  113. ↑ ""ภูมิวัฒน์" ยุติบทบาทแนวร่วมม็อบปลดแอก แฉถูกปิดปากห้ามขึ้นเวที มีอีแอบรับเงินสถานทูต-NGO ต่างชาติ". Manager Online (in Thai). 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  114. ↑ "'อ.เจษฎา' ชี้ม็อบสาดสีใส่ตร. 'รุนแรง-คุกคาม' ยกตัวอย่างสากลประท้วงสันติวิธีด้วยภาพวาด". Thai Post (in Thai). Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  115. ↑ "เพจโปลิศไทยแลนด์ ตำหนิม็อบสาดสีใส่ตำรวจไม่เกิดผลดีเลย แสดงออกถึงตัวตนเป็นเช่นไร". Thai Post (in Thai). Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  116. ↑ "หมอสุกิจ อัดม็อบหยาบคายใส่ 'ชวน' ยันเป็นกลาง ไล่ไปด่า ส.ส.-สว.ตัวเอง". ข่าวสด (in Thai). 25 September 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  117. ↑ "Constitutional Court accepts treason complaint against protest leaders". Prachatai English. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  118. ↑ English, Khaosod (17 September 2020). "Court To Rule Whether Protest Leaders Committed Treason". Khaosod English. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  119. ↑ "กลุ่มอาชีวะฯ ปกป้องสถาบัน ไล่ 'ธนาธร' หน้าไทยซัมมิท อ้างอยู่เบื้องหลังชุมนุม". Prachathai (in Thai). 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.