Popular Post webfact Posted November 17, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 17, 2020 More than 40 hurt in Thailand's most violent protests since new movement emerged By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat A demonstrator tries to stop clashes during an anti-government protest as lawmakers debate on constitution change, outside the parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, November 17, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) - At least 41 people were hurt, some with gunshot wounds, when demonstrators marching on the Thai parliament clashed with police and royalist counter-protesters, in the worst violence since a new youth-led protest movement emerged in July. Police fired water cannon and teargas at protesters who cut through razor-wire barricades and removed concrete barriers outside parliament. The police denied that they had opened fire with live ammunition or rubber bullets, and said they were investigating who might have used firearms. The protest movement, which has called for deep constitutional reform to a system demonstrators say has entrenched the power of the military, has emerged as the biggest challenge to Thailand's establishment in years. Thousands of demonstrators converged on parliament to put pressure on lawmakers discussing changes to the constitution. The protesters also want the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army ruler, and to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Bangkok's Erawan Medical Centre said at least 41 people were hurt. It did not immediately give a full breakdown, but said at least 12 were suffering from teargas and five people had gunshot wounds. It did not say who might have used firearms. "We tried to avoid clashes," the deputy head of Bangkok police, Piya Tavichai, told a news conference. He said police had tried to push back protesters from parliament and to separate them and the yellow-shirted royalist counter-protesters. Protesters advanced on police with makeshift shields, including inflatable pool ducks. After about six hours, police pulled back and abandoned their water trucks, which the protesters mounted and sprayed with graffiti. "I hereby announce the escalation of the protests. We will not give in. There will be no compromise," Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak told the crowd at the gates of parliament before protesters dispersed. Another protest was set for central Bangkok on Wednesday. Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said police had been obliged to use teargas and water cannon to keep parliamentarians safe. 2020-11-17T141643Z_1_LOV000MCQ8JSL_RTRMADV_STREAM-2000-16X9-MP4_THAILAND-PROTESTS.MP4 Prime Minister Prayuth took power as the head of a military junta in 2014 and remained in office after an election last year. He rejects opposition accusations that the election was unfair. Lawmakers were discussing several proposals for constitutional changes, most of which would exclude the possibility of altering the monarchy's role. There is also discussion of the role of the upper house Senate, which was entirely selected by Prayuth's former junta and helped ensure that he kept power with a parliamentary majority after last year's disputed vote. Some protesters fought with dozens of royalists who had remained behind after an earlier demonstration by hundreds of right-wing Thais calling on lawmakers not to make changes to the constitution. "Amending the constitution is going to lead to the abolition of the monarchy," royalist leader Warong Dechgitvigrom told reporters. Protesters have said they do not want to abolish the monarchy. (Additional reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Jiraporn Kuhakan, Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Angus MacSwan and Peter Graff) -- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-18 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Apologies, Thaivisa is not currently accepting comments on this topic 2 5 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post webfact Posted November 17, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 17, 2020 Timeline of Tuesday’s protests around Parliament By The Nation 7.55am: Traffic is blocked from entering Samsen Road and Thahan Road leading to Kiakkai Intersection near Parliament. 1.15pm: The Navy deploys 20 boats in case it needs to evacuate Senators and MPs deliberating charter-change motions in the riverside Parliament building. Protesters gather outside. 2.03pm: The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration group asks demonstrators to gather at Kiakkai intersection at 3pm. The Free Youth group asks supporters to bring along inflatable rubber ducks to ride in front of the building. Protesters reiterate Panusaya ‘Rung’ Sithijirawattanakul’s demand that Parliament must pass iLaw’s draft constitution. 2.17pm: Protesters in front of the Boon Rawd Brewery building attempt to clear a concrete and barbed-wire barrier erected by police to protect Parliament. Riot police issue a warning then open fire with water-cannon trucks. 3.10pm: At Kiakkai intersection, riot police continue to warn the demonstrators to stop approaching the barrier or water cannon will be fired. 3.12pm: Police fire water cannon after protesters try to remove barriers. 3.20pm: Police spokesperson Kritsana Pattanacharoen announces that riot police fired water cannon, minus chemicals, after protesters ignored the first warning not to dismantle the barricade. After they ignored further warnings, tear gas was added to the water fired at protesters, he said, adding this was just normal law enforcement rather than an attempt to clear the protest. 3.25pm: A protester throws a smoke bomb at riot police. 3.28pm Police push back protesters with more rounds of water cannon laced with tear gas. 3.50pm: Inside Parliament, Move Forward MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn calls on police to refrain from using violence against demonstrators exercising their lawful right to protest. 3.55pm: Senators and MPs are evacuated by boat from the pier behind Parliament, escorted by a security team and marines. 4.20pm: Riot police continue to spray water at protesters who approach the barrier guarding Parliament. Some protesters shield themselves from the tear gas solution using rainwear, umbrellas and giant inflatable rubber ducks. 4.33pm: The Chao Phraya Express Boat service tells passengers to avoid Kiakkai pier and use other routes. 4.43pm: Protesters drag away a police van parked to block their path. 4.50pm: Shinawatra Chankrachang, leader of the New Generation Network of Nonthaburi protest group, leads a small flotilla of boats to Kiakkai pier. Officials bar protesters from entering Parliament. 4.55pm: Another water truck joins the operation as police continue to spray both plain and a teargas-laced water at protesters. 5.08pm: Protesters break down the metal fence erected at Kiakkai intersection and hurl objects at riot police. 5.11pm: Protesters clash with yellow-shirt government supporters at the other side of the intersection, as both sides hurl bottles and rocks at each other. 5.25pm: Opposition MPs protest to the Parliament president and seek to coordinate with police outside to halt the violence against protesters. 5.35pm: Deputy Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Piya Tawichai gives an update on the operation, explaining riot police used tear gas and water cannon to prevent protesters breaking through towards Parliament, adding that demonstrators had thrown a flare and firecracker at police. He insisted that protesters would not be permitted to approach Parliament where they could do damage. 6pm: Police gave their summary of the day’s protest around Parliament. Four rallies had taken place, but only three groups had been granted permission to protest on November 17-18: the ultraroyalist Thai Phakdee, People Political groups, and a monarchy protection group. Police said the anti-government Ratsadon (People's Party) had not asked for permission to protest as per emergency law. Protest leader Arnon Nampa calls for 'one million' demonstrators to gather at Ratchaprasong Intersection tomorrow at 4pm, shifting focus away from Parliament. Lawmakers expected to continue debating charter change motions until 10pm. 6.05pm: Shinawatra Chankrachang jumps into the Chao Phraya River at Kiakkai pier but fails in his bid to swim to the Parliament building. Police continue to fire occasional water cannon volleys at protesters. 6.43pm: Metropolitan police commander Phukphong Phongpetra negotiates with protesters. 7.14pm: Protesters try to deflate tyres of water cannon trucks. 7.26pm: Parit 'Penguin' Chiwarak and Panupong “Mike” Jadnok lead protesters as they break through the police line at Kiakkai Intersection and march to Parliament 8.20pm: Ratsadon (People’s Party) and yellow-shirt protesters clash again. 8.29pm: An ambulance arrives at Kiakkai intersection. 8.31pm: It carries away casualties from both sides of the clash. Bangkok’s Erawan Medical Centre later reports a total of 18 people were injured in the protests, 12 suffering the effects of tear gas. 8.40pm: Confrontation eases. Ratsadon calls on its supporters to retreat to Parliament building fence for safety. 8.50pm: At the entry to Parliament, Anon Nampa announces that if Parliament rejects iLaw’s draft tomorrow, protesters will gather at Ratchaprasong intersection at 4pm. 9pm: Parit announces protesters will march from Ratchaprasong to Royal Thai Police headquarters tomorrow. United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration posts similar message, declaring: ‘This is the last warning! If they do not accept the people's constitution, there will be no more compromises. Rally at Ratchaprasong Intersection tomorrow (November 18) at 4pm.’ 9.33pm: Protesters call off demonstration for the day. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30398110 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-11-18 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 3 4 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted November 18, 2020 Author Share Posted November 18, 2020 55 hurt in pro-democracy clash on Tuesday By The Nation Fifty-five people were injured during a clash between pro-democracy protesters and police officers outside Parliament on Tuesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre said on Wednesday. The centre said that of the 55 injuries, 32 people had been hurt by tear gas, six were shot, four took sick and 13 had other symptoms. “Thirty-seven people were sent to Vajira Hospital, five to Phramongkutklao Hospital, four to Praram 9 Hospital, and one each to Rajavithi Hospital, Phetcharavej Hospital, Klang Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital and Mission Hospital,” the centre said. Ratsadon group protesters had gathered outside Parliament on Tuesday to pressure lawmakers to accept the iLaw constitution amendment draft, which aims to reform the monarchy and have it come under the purview of the Constitution. However, the clash emerged after riot police used tear gas and water cannons to prevent protesters breaking through to Parliament. The demonstrators also reportedly threw a flare and a firecracker at police. Protest leader Arnon Nampa decided to call off the protest at 9pm, and asked demonstrators to gather at Ratchaprasong Intersection at 4pm on Wednesday. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30398145 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-11-18 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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