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Thailand: Growing Protests Led by Young People

Bangkok, Thailand —(Map)

Young people across Thailand have been using the internet to organize protests against the government. The protests have been going on for weeks and the movement seems to be growing.

There have been several large protests, like the July 18 rally in Bangkok, which drew around 3,000 people. But many of the protests have been smaller and unexpected.

Protest in Bangkok July 18, 2020
Young people across Thailand have been using the internet to organize protests against the government. The protests have been going on for weeks and the movement seems to be growing. Above, a July 18 pprotest in Bangkok.
(Source: ประชาไท [CC BY-SA], via Wikimedia Commons.)

The protesters – mainly young people – have been creating “flash mobs”. Information about a protest will be sent out over social media,  and hundreds of protesters will suddenly appear in a certain location.

The protesters have several demands, including ending the current parliament and holding new elections. The protesters also want changes to the country’s constitution, and they want the government to stop punishing people who protest.

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The protesters – mainly young people – have been creating “flash mobs”. Information about a protest will be sent out over social media, and hundreds of protesters will suddenly appear in a certain location.

The concerns behind the protests aren’t new. Last year, Thailand held its first election since the army took control of the country in 2014. The army’s political party didn’t win the election, but the leader of the army’s party, Prayuth Chan-ocha, wound up being named prime minister.

Future Forward, a political party supported by many young people, was forced to give up some of the seats it won in parliament. In February, Thailand’s Constitutional Court shut down the Future Forward party completely, and said its leader couldn’t take part in politics for 10 years.

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Last year, Thailand held its first election since the army took control of the country in 2014. The army’s political party didn’t win the election, but the leader of the army’s party, Prayuth Chan-ocha (above, center), wound up being named prime minister.

Though protests began in February, they were soon stopped by the coronavirus  lockdown. Later, the government declared a state of emergency and put strict limits on public gatherings.

Mr. Prayuth recently extended the state of emergency. Some people believe that Mr. Prayuth is using the state of emergency to prevent protests.

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Though protests began in February, they were soon stopped by the coronavirus lockdown. Later, the government declared a state of emergency and put strict limits on public gatherings. Above, a protest in February over the shutdown of the Future Forward party.

Thailand has very strict rules about protests. Anyone found insulting the king can be sent to jail for a very long period of time. Hundreds of people who have criticized Mr. Prayuth’s government have also been sent to jail.

Since the protests began, the government has charged dozens of people with crimes for their part in the protests. Recent protests grew larger after the government arrested two more well-known protesters.

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Since the protests began, the government has charged dozens of people with crimes for their part in the protests. Recent protests grew larger after the government arrested two more well-known protesters, including Anon Nampa, shown above being arrested.

Technology has made it easier for protesters to organize in spite of the government limits. It’s also helped the protests spread across the country instead of only being held in large cities.

Because the flash mobs are organized quickly, it’s hard for the government to stop them. It’s also harder to track down and punish the organizers.

The young protesters have used humor to help spread their message. In a recent protest, many people wore Harry Potter scarves and promised to “cast a spell” for democracy. The symbol of the protests is a three-fingered salute made famous by the movie “The Hunger Games”.

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The young protesters have used humor to help spread their message. In a recent protest, many people wore Harry Potter scarves and promised to “cast a spell” for democracy. The symbol of the protests is the three-fingered salute from the movie “The Hunger Games”.

The protesters may be starting to attract supporters from other groups. Some farmers, who have supported the government in the past, now support the protesters.

There are some signs the government is taking the protesters more seriously. The government has set up a special group to begin discussions with the protesters. Still, most protesters believe the government isn’t interested in real changes, but is trying to distract from the protests.


Did You Know…?

Thailand has done a good job of keeping the coronavirus under control. It has one of the lowest number of cases in the world.

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