Demonstrators in Bangkok in front of the Royal Palace, September 20, 2020. -
Wason Wanichakorn / AP / SIPA
The protest against royal power continues in Thailand.
The monarchy is however a taboo subject in the country but that does not prevent the demonstrators from regrouping while the power is in the hands of the army.
On Saturday, the country even saw the biggest rally since the 2014 coup that put in power the head of government Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who has since been legitimized by controversial elections.
A symbolic and very risky gesture
While tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bangkok on Saturday evening to demand more democracy and the resignation of the Prime Minister, on Sunday morning thousands of people were still gathered in the center of the capital.
Above all, the demonstrators dared to challenge the monarchy with a symbolic and particularly risky gesture.
The plaque against the monarchy cemented on September 20, 2020 by protesters in Bangkok.
- Wason Wanichakorn / AP / SIPA
They thus cemented near the former royal palace in Bangkok a plaque indicating: "At this place, the people expressed their will: that this country belongs to the people and is not the property of the monarch".
“The nation does not belong to anyone, but to all of us,” added Parit Chiwarak, one of the figures in the protest.
"Down with feudalism, long live the people," he added.
Parit Chiwarak (white shirt), one of the figures of the protest in Thailand, in Bangkok on September 20, 2020. - Wason Wanichakorn / AP / SIPA
An untouchable royalty
Opponents then headed for the offices of Thailand's powerful Privy Council, which assists the ruler in his duties.
The protesters, who have marched in the streets almost daily since the summer, demand the non-interference of the king in political affairs, the repeal of the draconian law on lese-majesté and the return of the property of the Crown to the fold of State.
This is unheard of in Thailand where, despite successive overthrow of regimes - 12 coups d'état since 1932, royalty has so far remained untouchable.
The sovereign, well beyond his status as constitutional monarch, has considerable influence which he exercises most often in the shadows.
Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended to the throne after the death of his father, the revered King Bhumibol, is a controversial figure.
In a few years, he strengthened the powers of an already all-powerful monarchy, notably by directly taking control of the royal fortune.
The government is letting it go for the moment
“The police have been told to be patient.
The demonstrators can assemble, but peacefully and within the framework of the law, reacted Saturday the spokesman of the government, Anucha Burapachaisri.
It remains to be seen how long the status quo will last in a country where Lèse-majesté's crime law is one of the most repressive in the world.
The authorities have already indicated that they consider the requests concerning the royalty unacceptable.
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