Thai protesters take aim at army after anti-government rallies
- Demonstrators renew demands for PM to resign, say military is wasting taxpayers’ money
- Rally follows Saturday event in Bangkok, when about 2,500 people gathered in one of largest street protests since 2014 coup
About 200 demonstrators denounced the government and the army, accusing it of inappropriate defence spending and of interfering in politics by backing Prayuth’s bloodless 2014 putsch, which saw him installed as prime minister.
Though Prayuth now leads a civilian government following an election last year, critics say the military ensured the deck was stacked in his favour by writing a constitution that virtually guaranteed victory for his party.
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Thousands take to the streets of Thai capital Bangkok to protest against the government
That rally and subsequent, smaller protests on Sunday in Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, were in defiance of a coronavirus ban on gatherings. Though police were present, there were no arrests.
Demonstrators on Monday displayed signs of detained or missing dissidents and carried placards saying “no coup” and reminding soldiers their duty was to the public.
One leader tore up a large poster of the army chief, General Apirat Kongsompong.
Prayuth, a former army chief, has seen opposition to him grow recently. Since Thursday six of his Cabinet members have resigned.
Their exit comes as Southeast Asia’s worst performing economy, which the central bank says could shrink by a record 8.1% this year, tries to recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
