An estimated 350 protesters came together and faced clashes with the police . This incident took place in Bangkok, 10 km from the venue where a meeting was being held which was to be attended by the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Patsaravalee ‘Mind’ Tanakitvibulpon, a youth activist who was at the demonstration, said that the reason behind people protesting was to show opposition to the APEC summit and Prayuth Chan-ocha , the Prime Minister of Thailand.
Allegedly , the protesters had also devised a plan to submit a letter to the leaders who were arriving to meet at Bangkok as it was the venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC summit. Several videos on different social media depicted the protesters attempting to overturn a police car, charge at the police force and throw projectiles, while officers assembled in riot gear advanced on them with shields and beat them in retaliation with batons. Following this clash 10 protestors were arrested by the police force.
Why are they protesting ?
The Prime Minister of Thailand , Prayuth came to power first in the year of 2014 and has survived a hotly disputed election, mass street protests and a series of four no-confidence votes. In August 2022 Thailand’s Constitutional Court decided to suspend him from official duties however , the ouster was not permanent.
To prevent small protest groups from organizing a larger demonstration in opposition to the policies supported by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, tens of thousands of police and military personnel were stationed throughout the city. Prayuth, who took control in a military takeover in 2014 and was subsequently appointed prime minister under a temporary post-coup constitution, has encouraged demonstrators to disperse during the summit.
This week, upon his return from the ASEAN conference in Cambodia, he warned reporter
“Don’t ruin our beautiful country; you must empathize with the security forces,” he told reporters this week after returning from a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cambodia.
Demands for Prayuth to resign and the calling of a general election have been made throughout the past few years in addition to irate street demonstrations, some of which have even taken a violent turn.
In September, Thailand’s highest court issued a decision allowing Prayuth to hold onto power at least until the elections of the following year, resolving a legal fight that echoed the country’s bitter political differences and thwarting the opposition’s most recent attempt to unseat the leader. In the days preceding the summit, tensions increased as police chased small groups of protesters through malls, public transportation, and open spaces where they had attempted to stage flash mob protests or raise anti-Prayuth banners.
Just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival on Thursday, rows of police with riot shields forced back several dozen irate demonstrators at an intersection leading to the summit venue.
Aftermath of the protests
According to Reuters , Patsaravalee ‘Mind’ Tanakitvibulpon said that the police had an overreaction. The police reportedly tried to stop them several times and even tried using rubber bullets on the protesters. On the other hand , the police have taken the stand that the protesters physically assaulted the police and even injured 5 of their officers , thereby breaking the law.
One protester referred to Thailand’s hosting of the summit as a “festival of lies”.
“This warm but hypocritical welcome is merely a means for you … to certify the legitimacy of an ugly, tyrannical government,” he stated.
Demonstrators held aloft signs requesting Prayuth’s resignation while also spray painting riot police shields. In addition, they called for the modification of Thailand’s lese majeste statute, which carries a maximum 15-year prison term for insulting or defaming the royal family, as well as the release of political prisoners.
A plan from the Thai government known as the Bio-Circular Green Economy Model is currently being criticized for favoring big business over small farmers and protesters are encouraging APEC summit attendees to reject it.
“Prayuth is using the APEC summit to legitimize these oppressive, exploitative schemes making enemies with farmers, laborers and the public,” stated Passaravalee Thanakijvibulphol w an activist who is leading one of the several protest groups being conducted in the summit area on Friday, although it is dubious whether the police will allow the march to continue.
