Thailand’s PM ‘begs’ student protesters not to create chaos after calls for reform

Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was ‘worried’ about the young protesters, who have been calling for parliament to be dissolved and fresh elections

The former junta chief also hinted at possible changes to the country’s 2017 constitution, which critics say virtually assured his election win last year

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Prayuth Chan-ocha, centre, Thailand's prime minister and former junta chief, pictured at a celebration for the 68th birthday of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok last month. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:25pm, 4 Aug 2020Updated: 5:55pm, 15 Oct 2020

Thailand’s prime minister on Tuesday asked increasingly bold student-led protesters “not to create chaos” after some broke long-standing taboos by openly calling for reform of the constitutional monarchy.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army chief who staged a coup six years ago and has led military-backed governments ever since, also promised that parliament would consider protesters’ demands to amend the constitution.

“I beg people not to create chaos at this time. We are solving these problems together,” Prayuth told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

He said he was “worried” about the young protesters who have been gathering in small groups in different parts of the country calling for the dissolution of parliament and new elections.

A pro-democracy protester flashes a salute as others use mobile phones as torchlights during a protest demanding the resignation of Prayuth Chan-ocha in Bangkok on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Prayuth said a committee has been formed in parliament to discuss possible changes to a 2017 constitution drafted under military auspices and a mechanism to gauge the views of young people would be set up this month.