Thai police arrest protesters camping out ahead of rally in Bangkok

BANGKOK: Police in Thailand have arrested several political activists who planned to camp out at the site of a rally scheduled for Wednesday (Oct 14).

The rally site is along the route the country’s king is expected to travel for an unrelated royal ceremony.

The arrests on Tuesday came after police started to tear down tents put up by the protesters, who had travelled to the capital from north-eastern Thailand. 

The protesters resisted and pushed back against the police, sparking a brawl. 

Police said they initially asked the protesters to remove the tents, but were refused.

Wednesday’s protest has been called by a coalition of mostly student-led groups that several months ago adopted three core demands: New elections, changes in the constitution to make it more democratic and an end to intimidation of political activists.

The protesters later adopted another major demand, for reform of the monarchy, which they claim does not properly operate within the framework of a democracy.

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That demand has caused a huge controversy, since the royal institution has long been considered sacrosanct and a pillar of Thai identity. 

It is also protected by a lese majeste law that mandates three to 15 years in prison for defaming the monarchy.

One of those arrested was a leading activist, Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, better known as Pai Dao Din, who was imprisoned for two and a half years for lese majeste and violation of the Computer Crime Act.

He received the sentence for sharing online a 2016 biography of King Maha Vajiralongkorn from the Facebook page of the BBC’s Thai-language service.

Kissana Phathanacharoen, deputy spokesperson for the police department, said the demonstrators were being interrogated while police considered what charges they would file.

He said they were likely to face many charges, including defying police orders, violating a public gathering law invoked due to the coronavirus and obstructing traffic and public roads. 

He said he was uncertain how many were arrested.

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Most protest leaders have already been arrested previously on charges ranging from blocking streets to sedition, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Although they have piled up charges against the protesters, the authorities have generally been careful not to act too harshly against them. 

Arrests have usually been made after protesters were summoned to turn themselves in, and in all known cases they have been released on bail.

Tuesday’s remaining protesters decided to relocate while they considered their next move.

The protesters have said they do not intend to interfere with the passage of the king’s car through the street where they will hold their rally on Wednesday, but the authorities have not made clear how they will deal with the situation.

Streets are normally cleared along routes travelled by the king.