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Thursday, August 13, 2020, 22:43
Thailand to investigate those behind protests, premier says
By Bloomberg
Thursday, August 13, 2020, 22:43 By Bloomberg

People shelter under umbrellas by an image of King Maha Vajiralongkorn as they await his royal procession in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 5, 2019. (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha plans to order an investigation to identify the people behind the student-led protests sweeping the country, even as he promised to resolve the tension peacefully.

Speaking at a media briefing after the cabinet meeting, Prayuth pleaded with protesters not to use demonstrations as a platform to stir unrest and said the government “is being very careful” not to inflame the situation.

“The majority of people don’t agree with this,” he said. “We have to look into the demonstrations and who’s behind it because there’s a lot of money involved. We have to investigate.”

Citing the country’s economic crisis, the coronavirus pandemic as well as inequality and income distribution, Prayuth said: “We’re facing so many problems now, not just the one that has been raised by the protesters. Aren’t these more important?”

The majority of people don’t agree with this. We have to look into the demonstrations and who’s behind it because there’s a lot of money involved. We have to investigate.

Prayuth Chan-Ocha, Prime Minister, Thailand

ALSO READ: Thai police summon protest leaders for breaching emergency law

Thousands of students expected to gather again over the weekend are calling for greater democracy and curbs to the power of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The government has already threatened to take legal action over posts made to social media platforms critical of the monarchy. Digital Economy Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta on Tuesday ordered authorities to identify “inappropriate” posts and has already singled out 114 posts mostly made to Facebook, but also Twitter and YouTube, that may be in breach of the Computer Crimes Act.

Thai Students Risk Jail With Calls to Curb Monarchy’s Power

“All evidence will be gathered and submitted to court tomorrow,” he wrote on Facebook. “Once the court has issued an order, it will be forwarded to the three platforms. If within 15 days, the accounts are not closed or posts deleted, we’ll immediately take legal action.”

Twitter and Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Facebook did not comment specifically on the minister’s post, however a company spokesperson said in a statement the social media giant had a process for reviewing government requests.

READ MORE: Thai activists repeat calls for govt to hold general election

According to the law, fines for violations are a maximum of 200,000 baht (US$6,440) and daily fine of no more than 5,000 baht per post, he wrote. Thailand has strict lese-majeste laws criminalizing insults against top members of the royal family, which have resulted in lengthy jail sentences.

The announcement comes after thousands of demonstrators gathered on Monday as part of near-daily gatherings which have gained momentum after the arrests of top leaders, who have since been released on bail. They reiterated a rare public call last week by one of those arrested, Arnon Nampa, for rolling back measures that increased the power of Vajiralongkorn since he took the throne in 2016.

Some groups have also demanded the government rewrite the constitution by the end of September to disband the military-appointed Senate and change election laws to make them more democratic, after which the government would resign and hold a new vote.


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