Thailand Announces Large-Scale Anti-Government Rally... "Demanding Monarchy Reform"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] Thai student activist groups and anti-government organizations have announced plans to hold the largest anti-government rally since the 2014 coup on the 19th in the capital city of Bangkok. The organizers intend to break the taboo of mentioning royal issues and demand monarchy reform.

According to local media and foreign reports on the 19th, the student group 'Thammasat and Protest Coalition' plans to hold an anti-government rally at 2 p.m. (local time) at Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus in downtown Bangkok. The organizers expect up to 100,000 participants, while the police anticipate around 50,000 attendees. If this happens, it will be the largest rally since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's 2014 coup.

Thailand's anti-government protests were triggered when the Future Forward Party (FFP), which had broad support from the younger generation during last March's general election, was forcibly dissolved in February this year. The protests reignited in earnest from July after the local COVID-19 situation eased. The organizers initially called for constitutional amendments enacted by the military, dissolution of parliament, the prime minister's resignation, new general elections, and a ban on the suppression of anti-government figures, gradually increasing their numbers.

The constitution revised by the military regime in 2017 allows the government to appoint 250 senators and gives them equal voting rights with the elected members of the House of Representatives in selecting the prime minister, drawing criticism that it has become a tool for the military's long-term rule. Subsequently, the taboo topic of monarchy reform, previously avoided in Thailand, began to emerge and has gradually become a major issue in the anti-government rallies. Demands include abolishing lese-majeste laws, budgeting the royal household considering economic conditions, and prohibiting the monarchy from expressing political opinions.

The issue of monarchy reform is spreading further as Thailand's GDP is expected to shrink by more than 8% this year due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the royal budget was increased by 16% to 8.98 billion baht (approximately 335.6 billion KRW). Controversy is growing especially since the budget reportedly includes maintenance costs for 38 passenger planes and helicopters owned by the royal household.

Prime Minister Prayut has stated that while he will allow anti-government rallies in terms of protecting freedom of expression, demands for monarchy reform are unacceptable. Thammasat University has also announced that it will not permit the holding of the anti-government rally on its campus.

However, the rally organizers intend to proceed with the rally as originally planned and march to the Prime Minister's Office on the 20th. They are also considering Sanam Luang Square near Thammasat University as an alternative rally site in case of emergencies.

Local police plan to deploy 10,000 officers around the rally site.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.