BANGKOK : Protests returned to the streets of Bangkok on Saturday , albeit on a smaller scale, amid growing anger at the government’s handling of the pandemic and the lack of mRNA vaccines in the national inoculation drive.
Clashes broke out as riot police repeatedly fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to prevent a thousand demonstrators from advancing.
Bearing red flags, the protesters, some of whom were armed with slingshots, went head to head with riot police at the Din Daeng junction in the hour-long confrontation. The crowd had earlier moved off from the Victory Monument.
The incident on Saturday followed multiple gatherings and so-called car mobs – protesters cruising around in cars and on motorcycles – in recent weeks staged by several groups, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s former political allies, as frustrations over Thailand’s spiralling Covid-19 situation intensified. Recent government crackdowns on those accused of lese majeste have also stoked the flames.
“If I don’t come out today to protest, I will be stuck with this government,” said one 21-year-old undergraduate who only wanted to be known by her nickname Flame.
“Covid-19 has opened my eyes to see that nothing has improved with this government,” she said.
Protest leaders also reiterated three demands listed at previous rallies. The first was for Mr Prayut to resign; second, to divert budget funds meant for the monarchy and military towards Covid-19 efforts; and lastly, for the government to use mRNA vaccines in the national inoculation drive.
The two main vaccines being administered nationwide currently are Sinovac and AstraZeneca.
Earlier plans for the protesters on Saturday to set off from the Democracy Monument were foiled as police presence grew. Organisers from the Free Youth group then changed the meeting point to the Victory Monument instead.
During the protest that ended at about 6pm, a police truck was set on fire and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, an activist group, said at least 14 protesters were arrested.
TST
