Thai PM says 'illegal protests' must be controlled as parliament opens

The months-long rallies, lead by students, have been calling for a rewrite of Thailand's military-scripted constitution and an end to alleged government harassment of political opponents, as well as reform of the once-unassailable monarchy.

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha attends a special parliament session to discuss the current political situation and the ongoing anti-government protests in Bangkok, Thailand October 26, 2020.
Reuters

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha attends a special parliament session to discuss the current political situation and the ongoing anti-government protests in Bangkok, Thailand October 26, 2020.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has said Bangkok needs to bring "illegal protests" under control as he opened a special parliamentary session to address months of anti-government rallies.

Prayut, the former military chief who staged the 2014 coup, has faced increasing pressure in recent weeks from tens of thousands of protesters demanding his resignation.

READ MORE: Protesters flood Bangkok streets as PM ignores deadline

The student-led rallies are also calling for a rewrite of the military-scripted constitution and an end to alleged government harassment of political opponents, as well as reform of the once-unassailable monarchy.

"Though the people have the freedom to protest based on the constitution, authorities need to control the illegal protests," said Prayut, who recalled parliament from recess last week.

"We do not want to see clashes or riots in the country," he said, accusing some protesters of "inappropriate actions".

While Prayut acknowledged the protesters' demands in his opening speech, the two-day parliamentary session has not listed them on its agenda.

But parliament will discuss an incident this month when protesters flashed three-finger salutes – a symbol of their movement – at Queen Suthida's motorcade.

READ MORE: Thailand axes emergency decree but protesters unimpressed

Such an overt challenge is unprecedented in Thailand, where the royal family is protected under harsh anti-defamation laws and criticism of them is taboo.

"The protesters say it was not in the plan for the Queen to pass that way, but the government says she can go anywhere," said Tankhun Jittitsara, one of the secretaries of House Speaker Chuan Leekpai.

"No one knows the truth so we'll talk about that."

READ MORE: Anti-govt protesters in Thailand continue demonstrating

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'Protect the monarchy'

The opposition Pheu Thai party used the parliamentary session to call for Prayut's resignation, saying it would "solve all problems".

"You've been in power for six-and-a-half years -- five years under your coup and one-and-a-half years when you gained benefit from an undemocratic constitution," said party secretary Prasert Jantararuangthong.

"I call for General Prayut to resign as premier, which would be a solution to solve all problems," he said.

After the royal motorcade incident, the premier imposed emergency measures banning gatherings of more than four, while authorities arrested scores of activists.

READ MORE: Thailand protests continue after PM refuses to resign

Three activists were also charged under a rarely used law banning "violence against the Queen", which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Prayut revoked the emergency measures a week later when they failed to discourage thousands turning up in "guerrilla" protests across Bangkok.

Some protesters are demanding the abolition of the royal defamation law, a clear accounting of the palace's finances, and for King Maha Vajiralongkorn to stay out of politics.

Pro-royalist groups have emerged in response to the unprecedented challenges to the monarchy, holding counter-rallies to pronounce their love for the king.

On Monday, dozens of supporters in yellow shirts – the royal colour – gathered outside parliament, telling MPs not to reform the monarchy.

"We do not want the monarchy topic to be discussed in parliament," said Suwit Thongprasert, a prominent royalist activist.

"We are ready to protect the monarchy."

A student group has called for anti-government protesters to march to the German embassy on Monday, an apparent reference to the long periods of time the king has spent in Germany.

READ MORE: Thai protesters come out in big numbers to demand reforms

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