Criticism as "powerful" Young people's anti-government rally in Thailand activated August 23, 19:59
In Thailand, anti-governmental gatherings by young people are activating throughout Thailand, saying that the military influence on politics continues and that the regime led by Prime Minister Prayuth is taking a strong stance. Students in the department held a rally to appeal to reform the power politics.
In Thailand, Prime Minister Prayuth, who led a military coup six years ago, continues to lead the government after last year's general election, but criticizes that the Prayut administration is taking a powerful stance against the backdrop of military influence. Is coming out.
In central Bangkok, students and others held an anti-government rally on the 23rd and called for reforming the powerful politics. A woman who participated in the rally said, "Is it true that Thailand is a democratic country today? I think the economy is in a deadlock and politics is bad."
These protest rallies have been held every day since the middle of the last month, and young people are calling for the dissolution of the parliament and the revision of the constitution. At the rally last week, police announced more than 10,000 people, the largest since the coup d'état six years ago.
In the background is the power of the government
In Thailand, Prime Minister Prayut, who led the military coup six years ago, is said to remain in power and take a strong stance even after he returned to civilian government in the general election last year.
On the other hand, the leader of the “New Future Party”, an opposition party that gained overwhelming support from the youth to eliminate the influence of the military and jumped to the third party in the general election, was deprived of the election administration committee as a member of the parliamentary status. , The Constitutional Court ordered the party to be dismantled because of illegal money exchanges.
It is said that anti-governmental meetings of young people have begun as a result of these measures.
In March, the Prayut administration issued a declaration of an emergency and banned the rally to suppress the demonstration because of measures to prevent infection with the new coronavirus. After that, the spread of infection was suppressed, and the number of newly infected people per day was almost a single digit last month, and young people resumed the rally, saying that the Prayut administration has been further strengthening the government and the dissolution of the parliament. , Demanding amendments to the constitution that allow it to have an impact on military politics.
The anger of young people is accelerating the demand for "true democratization" amid the ongoing economic deterioration caused by the new coronavirus and the feeling of blockage in society.
Difficult to respond to the government
Amid the rapid spread of protests against the government, Thai police have arrested more than 10 people, including lawyer Mr. Anon who participated in the rally since this month, on suspicion of incitement.
In addition, Prime Minister Prayuth said on the 11th, "I have the right to hold a meeting, but I am crossing the line."
On the other hand, if the government side suppresses these protests with power, it may cause further opposition, and it seems that the government is struggling to respond.
So far, the government has been willing to accept the protests themselves, and some participants arrested by police have since been released on bail. Prime Minister Prayuth has also recently shown a positive attitude towards constitutional revision.
However, it is unclear how much youths will take in, and the administration may want to gain time while trying to find a way to make the situation calm.
A call for royal reform
As the protests by young people spread throughout Thailand, some participants have begun to openly inquire about the royal family, which has been regarded as an absolute authority by some participants.
At the rally held at a university in Thailand on the 10th of this month, one of the protest leaders, human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, will be present and the royal debate will be held publicly with respect. I called for it.
Subsequently, some students appealed for the reform of the royal family, such as the abolition of the blasphemy prohibiting slander to the royal family.
In Thailand, openly discussing what the royal family should be like is unusual because it has been taboo among the people.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, people who support the royal family are holding another protest rally to counter these movements, and there are conflicts among the people over the royal family.
Expert "I have to accept the request in some way..."
As Yasuhito Asami, a professor of Hosei University who is familiar with Thai politics, said that there is no reason to end the protest by not accepting the demands of young people in some way, as the dissatisfaction with the government among young generations increases. He said the anti-government rally would expand further, unless the administration showed any response to the demands of the young people.
He then pointed out that in the future, one of the focal points will be how far the political parties that reflect the voices of young people will spread their support in the elections of local councils that are being considered for implementation.
On the other hand, he said that he could not abandon the possibility that the military would go into hard-line measures in the future due to tension and he said, "We are talking about the hard-line of the army having to crack down strictly. I think it will be one of the points to be able to do that."