In Thailand, pro-democracy demonstrators were back on Sunday, October 25, in the streets of Bangkok.
Several thousand protesters gathered after the Prime Minister ignored their ultimatum urging him to resign, the last act of the rebellious wind shaking the kingdom to demand more democracy and a reform of the monarchy.
"I'm angry, Prayut Chan-O-Cha refuses to leave, but he is unable to lead this country," said Nut, a 21-year-old student.
"The economy is going very badly and it is doing nothing to improve the situation", added Nuch, employee in the private sector, while the kingdom, very dependent on tourism, is in recession since the coronavirus pandemic and that millions of people are unemployed.
The crowd sang the national anthem with three fingers together as a sign of resistance.
A new gathering scheduled for Monday
On Monday, the activists wish to march towards the German embassy, a new sign of challenge to the king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, who stays in this country very frequently.
Protesters, who have been demonstrating since the summer, demand the resignation of Prayut Chan-O-Cha, in power since the 2014 coup and legitimized by controversial elections last year.
"I will not resign," the prime minister said on Saturday evening, after pro-democracy activists gave him three days to do so.
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"If Prayut persists in wanting to stay in power, we will continue to take to the streets," reacted Jatupat "Pai Dao Din" Boonpattararaksa, one of the leaders of the movement, calling for new demonstrations.
"Pai Dao Din" is among dozens of activists who have been arrested in recent days, but he has since been released on bail.
The challenge also calls for a revision of the Constitution, in particular on the Senate considered too close to the army, and a reform of the powerful and extremely wealthy monarchy, a taboo subject until recently.
Maha Vajiralongkorn did not directly comment on the ongoing events.
But, extremely rare, he has appeared several times in public in recent days, even breaking with protocol to congratulate one of his supporters on Friday who had brandished a portrait of his father in front of the protesters.
"Very brave (...) Thank you," he said, according to a video posted on Facebook.
State of emergency and arrests
The main leaders of the movement have been jailed and a "reinforced" state of emergency was imposed last week, then lifted after a few days as thousands of protesters defied the ban on gatherings by continuing to take to the streets .
But the authorities have also launched several calls for calm and dialogue.
The government has "heard the concerns of the demonstrators" and wants "a de-escalation of tensions", its spokesman, Anucha Burapachaisri said on Saturday, pleading for a solution via "a parliamentary process".
The Parliament is convened in extraordinary session from Monday.
But since senators are appointed by the government and many come from the military ranks, they are unlikely to willingly relinquish their prerogatives.
With AFP
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