Groups of political activists, planning to rally in Bangkok this Thursday, which marks the 89th anniversary of regime change to constitutional monarchy, are being warned by the metropolitan police that they may face legal action for defying the Emergency Decree.
At least four political groups plan to hold rallies, mostly at and around the Democracy Monument and Government House, to mark a bloodless revolution on June 24th, 1932 that ended absolute monarchy.
One group is planning to demonstrate at the October 14 Memorial, near the Democracy Monument, at about 1pm. The Prachachon Khon Thai (Thai People) group, led by Nititorn Lumlua, plans to rally in front of Government House at about noon, to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The new generation network of Nonthaburi is planning to demonstrate at the Democracy Monument at about 11am, to demand the ouster of the government, and a group led by former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, plans to rally at Government House at a time yet to be specified.
Pol Maj-Gen Piya Tavichai, deputy commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said today (Monday) that police are ready to maintain peace and order at all the protest sites.
Since the emergency decree is still in place, he warned both the protest leaders and their followers that they will be considered to be breaking the law and may face legal action if they join the rallies.
He strongly advised the protesters to postpone their planned rallies until after the COVID-19 pandemic situation has improved, saying that their public gatherings will put them at risk of spreading the disease and worsening the pandemic.
