In Thailand, demonstrations against the military-backed government and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha have taken place, off and on, since February, interrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns until late July. On October 14, thousands of anti-government protestors rallied near Government House on the anniversary of a 1973 student uprising, calling for the resignation of Chan-o-cha and for reform of the monarchy. The following day, a state of emergency was declared, and mass gatherings were prohibited—but thousands of protesters still came out to march. Attempts by the Thai government to disrupt the rallies by shutting down public transportation systems and attempting to disrupt social-media channels have had little effect on the recent string of protests, now in their eighth day.
Photos: Prodemocracy Protests in Thailand
-
A person shows the three-finger salute as prodemocracy protesters gather to demand the government to resign and to release detained leaders in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 15, 2020. The three-finger salute, adopted from the movie The Hunger Games, has become a symbol of defiance and solidarity within the movement. #
Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters -
-
On October 14, 2020, Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, a Student Union of Thailand spokesperson, speaks from a truck as prodemocracy protesters march toward the Government House during an anti-government rally in Bangkok. #
Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP / Getty -
-
-
A prodemocracy protester reacts as police try to detain him during a rally in Bangkok on October 15, 2020, after Thailand issued an emergency decree following an anti-government demonstration the previous day. #
Mladen Antonov / AFP / Getty -
-
-
-
-
-
Prodemocracy protesters hold up their mobile phones during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on October 17, 2020, as they continue to defy an emergency decree banning gatherings. #
Jack Taylor / AFP / Getty -
-
-
Prodemocracy activists flash three-fingered salutes while listening to the national anthem outside Siam Paragon, one of the largest shopping malls in Bangkok, on October 20, 2020. #
Sakchai Lalit / AP -
-
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.