Thai protesters march to call for royal reforms after court ruling
- The Constitutional Court this week said three protest leaders had made speeches that aimed ‘to overthrow the constitutional monarchy’
- Defying a ban on gatherings, hundreds of protesters assembled in Bangkok’s main shopping district to rail against the decision
Hundreds of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Sunday against a decision by a top court that ruled calling for royal reforms amounted to a bid to overthrow Thailand’s ultra-powerful monarchy.
The Constitutional Court – which critics have long said is politicised – announced on Wednesday that three prominent protest leaders had made speeches that “aim to overthrow the constitutional monarchy”.
While the court’s decision does not result in criminal penalties for the protest leaders, observers say the ruling could shrink an already narrow space for activists campaigning for reform of the monarchy.
Defying a ban on gatherings, hundreds of protesters assembled in Bangkok’s main shopping district to rail against the decision, holding signs that said they do not want an absolute monarchy.
“We are not overthrowing this country. The reform is to make it better,” shouted protest leader Thatchapong Kaedam, as demonstrators waved placards that said “reform does not equal overthrow”.