In a pre-emptive move, crowd control police swooped on a group of hardcore “Talugas” protesters as they converged at Din Daeng intersection in Bangkok this evening (Tuesday), before starting their routine provocation of the police and hurling missiles at the Royal Thai Army Band Department.
Police in 5-6 pickup trucks surprised a group of protesters as they were gathering with their motorbikes at the intersection at about 5.30pm. The officers leapt from the trucks and charged into the protesters, arresting about 10 of them and confiscating some motorcycles. Other protesters scattered.
A few protesters were injured in the brief scuffle and were given first-aid treatment at the scene. All the detainees were whisked away by the police.
The police’s surprise tactic prompted retaliation from other protesters, who hurled cherry bombs at authorities, forcing them to retreat along Vibhavadi Rangsit highway.
Meanwhile, the so-called “car mob” protesters gathered at the Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection at about 4pm. Rain temporarily forced many of them to take cover in malls and shops around the intersection, returning to the streets once the rain stopped.
At about 5pm, a procession of protesters headed for Klong Toey on Rama 4 Road and then to Phra Khanong intersection, before turning back towards Asoke intersection, where a stage was set up for anyone to take to the microphone to blast the government and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Most of the protests have wrapped up today to give people enough time to return home before the curfew starts at 9pm.
