Young Thais ‘cast a spell’ for democracy in ‘Harry Potter’ protest
- Gryffindor scarf, wizard robe and demonstrator’s ‘tax eater’ costume among props seen at latest in string of anti-government rallies
- Country’s youth growing increasingly bold in showing their discontent, with some even criticising Thailand’s harsh lèse-majesté law
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‘Harry Potter’ themed protests in Thailand ‘cast a spell’ for democracy
Dozens of mostly young Thais wearing striped “Harry Potter” scarves rallied Monday against the government, vowing to “cast a spell” for democracy as the nascent movement grows increasingly bold in targeting the powerful elite.
Some have also waded into sensitive territory in recent weeks by holding up placards opposing Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, one of the world’s harshest.
It shields the monarchy and its super-rich King Maha Vajiralongkorn from criticism, making open scrutiny of the monarch virtually impossible.
But younger Thais have grown bolder in lock-step with their rising discontent of Prayuth – whose hold on power is regarded as a legacy of a royalist junta regime.
As night fell Monday, the protesters – who rally organisers had said would “cast a spell” for democracy – listened in rapt attention as an organiser recounted the plot of the popular J.K. Rowling novels about the adventures of a young wizard.