Thai protesters remain on streets for 2nd day, calling for reform in monarchy

As they promised, demonstrators remained on the streets on the capital overnight into Sunday.

At the biggest demonstration in years, tens of thousands of people gathered in Bangkok on Saturday on the anniversary of the 2006 military coup that overthrew the populist then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Protesters install new plaque near Grand Palace 

Shortly after sunrise, protesters cemented a plaque near the Grand Palace in the area known as Sanam Luang, or Royal Field, as chanting, “Down with feudalism, long live the people.”

“At this place the people have expressed their will: that this country belongs to the people and is not the property of the monarch as they have deceived us,” read the plaque.

Police did not intervene in the installation of the plaque and the government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri ruled out the use of violence against protesters. He said that it was up to the police to determine and prosecute any illegal speech.

Letter to king handed to police: Protest leader

Later in the day, protest leaders said that Royal Guard police had agreed to pass on their demands to police headquarters. 

“Our greatest victory in the two days is to show that ordinary people like us can send a letter to royals,” Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, told the crowd of demonstrators.

Protesters are calling for the resignation of the government of Prayuth, a rewriting of the constitution that helped the former coup leader hold on to power in last year’s election, and a halt to the harassment of dissidents. 

The demonstrations have so far been peaceful, but dozens of people have been arrested on various charges, including sedition.

Some are worried about an impending crackdown as the prime minister warned protesters on Thursday to not “violate the palace.”

The prime minister says his government would allow protests but will not accept demands for reform of the monarchy.