“Car mob” protesters gathered at the Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection shortly before 2pm today (Sunday) for a convoy of cars and motorcycles through different parts of Bangkok to the Democracy Monument, to repeat their demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Many of the protesters are former followers of the now defunct United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), or the red-shirt movement, and wore black or red shirts with some seen waving UDD red flags.
Former UDD leader and deputy commerce minister Nattawut Saikua in the government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the leader of the “car mob” protest, said that the rally today is intended to show the force of the people against coups.
Today marks the 15th anniversary of the coup, in 2006, staged by then Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Bunyagalin to topple the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Nattawut said that the 2006 coup was the beginning of the continuing military dictatorship, with another coup in 2014 by General Prayut to oust Ms. Yingluck’s government.
Starting at the Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection, the convoy will moved into Ratchadapisek Road, Rama 4, Rama 3 and will across the Krungthep Bridge into Charan Sanitwong Road, then on to Borommaratchachonnani Road, across the Pinklao Bridge, into Ratchadamnoen Avenue and on to the Democracy Monument.
In parallel with the street protest, the organizers also held an online panel discussion, featuring speakers such as well-known scholar Sulak Sivaraksa, former Thai ambassador Ras Chalichan and Ratsadon core leader Ms. Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul and Tanat Thanakitamnuay.
