Thai protesters stage ‘people's runway’ in downtown Bangkok against princess’ fashion brand
Protesters gather on Silom Road in Bangkok on Oct 29, 2020. The protest adopts the theme of “People’s Runway” and coincides with the fashion show organised by Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana for her brand’s new collection. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
BANGKOK: Protesters gathered in Bangkok’s business district of Silom on Thursday (Oct 29) to voice their opposition against a royal fashion brand belonging to King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s daughter, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.
The princess’ fashion brand Sirivannavari was scheduled to showcase its autumn/winter 2020-2021 collection at 8pm on the same day in the “French Flair Runway” show at Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok.
The protest on Thursday adopted the theme of “People’s Runway” and took place on Silom Road, starting from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. It is a satire on the princess’ fashion business.
As night fell, protestors spoke out against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government and repeated their calls for monarchy reform, with some expressing their dissatisfaction through performances.
Ahead of the rally, organisers had announced the gathering plan on social media. They also cited an earlier local media report which allegedly detailed Thailand’s national budget Bill for 2020 and allocations worth more than 29 billion baht (US$929 million) set aside for the monarchy.
These included a budget of 13 million baht for the Department of International Trade Promotion to exhibit products of the Sirivannavari brand in foreign countries.
READ: Thai royalists rally in counterpoint to student protesters
READ: Thai protest movement vows fresh demonstrations after PM snub
The protest on Thursday marked another challenge to Thailand’s monarchy, which is protected by the strict lese majeste law. The law punishes whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent with imprisonment of three to 15 years.
On Monday, protesters marched to the German embassy in Bangkok to submit letters for the German government, asking them to investigate whether King Maha has exercised political power during his extended stays in Bavaria.
Protesters also demanded clarification from Germany on whether the King is required to pay inheritance tax as stipulated by German law, after inheriting a fortune from his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
On Monday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters the government was following developments in Thailand and that it was aware of the demonstrations.
READ: Rebel alliance: Bangkok's motorcycle taxi drivers aid Thai protesters
READ: Thai protesters, 'human beings, not dust', march in challenge to king
The demonstration on Thursday is part of Thailand’s youth-led movement, which has been protesting against Prayut's government for months. They are calling for an end to his rule, charter amendment and reform of the monarchy.
Prayut staged a coup in 2014 to topple a democratically government of Yingluck Shinawatra and controlled Thailand for five years, before an election in 2019 installed his political party to government.
On Tuesday, the prime minister dismissed calls from opposition parties to resign at a parliament session he had called to discuss months of protests.
This came after he addressed the nation last week and called for a parliamentary solution to the ongoing rift in society.
“The protestors have made their voices and views heard. It is now time for them to let their views be reconciled with the views of other segments of Thai society through their representatives in parliament,” Prayut said.
“Let us respect the law and parliamentary democracy, and let our views be presented through our representatives in parliament.”
