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Thailand protests: PM Prayuth Chan-ocha will lift state of severe emergency to ‘de-escalate’ unrest
- Protesters have demanded Prayuth’s resignation as well as democratic reforms and new elections
- They have also issued an unprecedented challenge to the influence of the country’s monarchy
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Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Wednesday vowed to lift the state of “severe emergency” in Bangkok in an attempt to defuse the unrest that has led to intensifying anti-government protests.
“I will make the first move to de-escalate this situation,” Prayuth said during a taped televised address. “I am currently preparing to lift the state of severe emergency in Bangkok and will do so promptly if there are no violent incidents.”
Democracy protesters have massed daily in the capital since last week, flouting the emergency edict prohibiting gatherings of more than four people.
Despite Prayuth’s offer to lift the state of emergency in the capital, protest leader Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree reiterated the movement’s demand for him to resign.
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“Prayuth must resign first and that is the easiest thing to do,” he said.
The former army chief masterminded the 2014 coup and protesters say the military-drafted constitution rigged last year’s vote in his favour.
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Activists are also demanding the powerful and ultra-wealthy monarchy stay out of politics – a previously taboo subject.
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