Royalists gather in Thailand to defend monarchy, as anti-government protests continue

The ‘Thai Pakdee’ group waved national flags and clutched portraits of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, amid calls to reform the institution

Thailand has seen over a month of pro-democracy protests calling for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha

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Supporters of the Thai monarchy hold up images of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a rally in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 10:31pm, 30 Aug 2020Updated: 9:44pm, 25 Nov 2020

Over 1,000 people gathered in a Bangkok sports arena on Sunday, swearing to defend Thailand’s monarchy from a student-led mass movement that they believe is a threat to the institution’s existence.

Calling themselves “Thai Pakdee” or “Loyal Thai”, most were dressed in yellow shirts – a colour closely associated with the monarchy and the ruling establishment. Some clutched portraits of current King Maha Vajiralongkorn and of his late revered father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, while others waved giant national flags.

The gathering took place as anti-government protests gather momentum across Thailand, posing the strongest challenge yet to the rule of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. The former army chief first took power in a coup in 2014, then retained it in an election last year widely seen as rigged to all but guarantee his victory.

A person waves a Thai national flag as members of Thai group “Thai Pakdee” (Loyal Thai) attend a rally in support of the government and the monarchy. Photo: Reuters

Speakers at Sunday’s rally pledged to protect the monarchy and the nation. Videos were shown, one of which extolled King Maha’s role in fighting communism in the 1970s, when a jungle insurgency threatened the country’s stability.

“I promise to fight shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters who share the same beliefs, to protect the beloved institution,” said one speaker, Patiyut Tongpajong.

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