Thailand Protests 2020

Before the start of new protests by the Thai democracy movement, head of government Prayut Chan-o-cha has branded the demonstrations as "illegal" and announced determined action against the activists. The authorities must bring the protests under control, Prayut said in parliament on Monday.

Pro-democracy students wanted to march in front of the German embassy in Bangkok on Monday afternoon in protest against King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The German Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has stated that Germany has "made it clear that politics concerning the country of Thailand should not be based on German soil" and that the Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn would be "permanently" under review while he is Germany.

The King has spent part of the Covid-19 lockdown in Germany in a luxury hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and owns a property in Bavaria.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered Thursday in Bangkok defying the authorities that had issued a decree banning demonstrations. The pro-democracy demonstration eventually dispersed several hours after the 6 pm curfew.

The government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has been the main target of the demonstrations, but protestors have also aimed at Thailand's monarchy.

In the biggest anti-government demonstration since the coup in 2014, over 10,000 Thai protestors have moved to the street. Over the past months students had started publically voicing criticism against the powers of the monarchy and the government.

The student activist Patsalawalee Tanakitwiboonpon addressed the crowd with the demand to get "a new election and a new parliament from the people". Opposition parties claim that the elections in 2019 had been under conditions that ensured that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stayed in power.