Explainer | Why are there protests in Thailand and what will happen next?
- Youth-led pro-democracy protesters want a new constitution, limits on the monarchy and the end of Prayuth Chan-ocha’s military-backed government
- Celebrities, red shirts, the Milk Tea Alliance and Hong Kong’s Joshua Wong are among their backers. Still, it’s a big ask in a land with a history of crackdowns
Various proposals to amend the constitution have been submitted to the Thai parliament, but these have been delayed by royalist factions and the military-dominated Senate, further fuelling the turmoil on the streets.
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Thailand arrests at least 8 activists in latest crackdown on anti-government protests
1. WHO ARE THE PROTESTERS AND WHAT DO THEY WANT?
The protests, which began in July when Thailand emerged from its three-month Covid-19 lockdown, have largely been led by university and high school students known collectively as the “Free Youth Movement”.
Demonstrations have been held in schools and universities across Thailand demanding a new constitution, the dissolution of parliament and an end to the harassment of government critics and opponents.
A key early date was August 10 when, at a university campus outside Bangkok, a group of students led by Thammasat University student Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul presented “10 demands” to reform the monarchy.