WhatsApp Logo Subscribe
For News Alert

News

Thai PM urges calm from all sides in protests

November 10, 2020 06:48 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Thai Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha urged calm from all sides Tuesday as tensions rise between royalist groups and pro-democracy protesters calling for reforms to the monarchy. 

The kingdom has for months seen massive demonstrations led by student leaders calling for democratic reforms, with some bolder figures issuing challenges to Thailand's unassailable monarchy.

The movement's demands have sent shockwaves through its royalist establishment, spurring monarchist groups to stage counter-protests which have led to some minor scuffles with protesters. 

Prayut -- whose removal from office is one of the movement's key demands -- said Tuesday both sides are entitled to "express their opinions" -- as long as it is within the law. 

"A confrontation is not the way to solve a problem," he said after a cabinet meeting. 

"I urge all sides to refrain from clashing and from breaking the law so excessively whereby the authorities would have to use every measure to enforce the law." 

Prayut's call comes two days after police deployed water cannon as a "warning" against protesters attempting to deliver letters to King Maha Vajiralongkorn. 

It was only the second time such tactics were used.

Prayut, a former military chief who came to power via a 2014 coup, said the government was not "taking sides".

So far, however, scores of pro-democracy activists and student leaders have been arrested and charged for participating in the protests.

Some face especially serious charges of sedition and causing violence to the queen -- a rarely used law carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Police are not known to have made any arrests during royalist rallies.

 

 



Most Read

  1. Violent protests erupt at Lahore's Punjab Group of Colleges over girl's rape Violent protests erupt at Lahore's Punjab Group of Colleges over girl's rape
  2. Scores of LCWU students protest harassment by clerk Scores of LCWU students protest harassment by clerk
  3. Bangladesh JI chief supports Hasina’s trial for crimes against humanity Bangladesh JI chief supports Hasina’s trial for crimes against humanity
  4. Ramsha Khan and Ahad Raza Mir’s romantic strolls & shopping spree in London Ramsha Khan and Ahad Raza Mir’s romantic strolls & shopping spree in London
  5. Terrorists massacre 20 Pashtun workers at Duki coalmines in Balochistan Terrorists massacre 20 Pashtun workers at Duki coalmines in Balochistan
  6. Mehwish Hayat and Honey Singh tease fans with new song collaboration Mehwish Hayat and Honey Singh tease fans with new song collaboration