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Thai royalists rally to support king as lawmakers mull committee to end protests
- Some 1,000 people clad in yellow marched to ‘show encouragement’ to King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who protesters say wields too much power in Thailand
- The rally comes as Thai lawmakers are weighing a proposal to set up a panel to explore ways to end the months-long anti-government protests
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Reutersin Bangkok
Some 1,000 Thai royalists clad in yellow demonstrated in support of King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Tuesday, close to where thousands of people marched a day earlier to demand reforms of the monarchy.
Youth-led protests began in Thailand in July to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha – a former army ruler – and a new constitution, but have increasingly sought curbs on the monarchy’s powers.
“We want to show support and encouragement to his majesty,” said Thatchapan Boriphet, 57, at Lumphini Park in central Bangkok. “I am neutral politically but I cannot stand it when there is a violation of the monarchy.”
02:27
Thai protesters rally at German embassy, calling for Berlin to investigate Thai king
Thai protesters rally at German embassy, calling for Berlin to investigate Thai king
So far, royalist demonstrations have been considerably smaller than the tens of thousands of people who have joined the biggest protests against the government.
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Protesters have accused the king of political involvement and marched to the German embassy on Monday to seek an inquiry into whether he exercised his powers during long stays in Germany, something Berlin has said would be unacceptable.
The palace has a policy of not commenting to the media and has made no comment since the start of the protests.
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The king is currently in Thailand.
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