Thailand. Protesters challenge the monarchy with a symbolic plaque

Protesters cemented a plaque near the former royal palace in Bangkok on Sunday morning stating that the Thailand belongs to the people and not to the king, a challenge to the monarchy, until now a taboo subject in the country.

Thousands of people were still gathered in the center of the capital to demand more democracy, the resignation of the Prime Minister, many also demanding a reform of the royalty.

Cemented slab in Sanam Luang

The demonstration began on Saturday and brought together tens of thousands of people in the evening, the largest gathering since the 2014 coup d’état which put in power the head of government Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who has since been legitimized by elections. controversial.

The plaque was cemented in Sanam Luang, a royal square near the Grand Palace. “In this place, the people expressed their will: that this country belongs to the people and is not the property of the monarch”, is it written.

“The nation does not belong to anyone, but to all of us”, added Parit Chiwarak, one of the figures of the protest. “Down with feudalism, long live the people”, he added.

Asked, the Royal Palace was not immediately available for comment.

The gesture is very symbolic.

End of absolute monarchy

A plaque, installed for years in central Bangkok to celebrate the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, was removed under mysterious conditions in 2017, shortly after Maha Vajiralongkorn’s accession to the throne.

Opponents then headed for the offices of Thailand’s powerful Privy Council, which assists the ruler in his duties.

The protesters, who march through the streets almost daily since the summer, dare to openly confront the monarchy.

They are calling for the king’s non-interference in political affairs, the repeal of the draconian lese majesty law and the return of the assets of the Crown to the bosom of the state.

Never seen before in Thailand

Unheard of in Thailand where, despite the successive overthrow of regimes (12 coups d’état since 1932), royalty had remained untouchable until now.

The Thai sovereign, well beyond his status as constitutional monarch, has considerable influence which he exercises most often in the shadows.

Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended to the throne after the death of his father, the revered King Bhumibol, is a controversial figure. In a few years, he strengthened the powers of an already all-powerful monarchy, notably by directly taking control of the royal fortune.

The authorities consider the requests concerning the royalty unacceptable.

“The police have been told to be patient. Protesters can assemble, but peacefully and within the framework of the law ”government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri reacted on Saturday.

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