Huge crowd of protesters demanding abolishment of ‘absolute monarchy’ (VIDEO)

Protesters flooded the streets of the city center carrying banners and placards that read: “no absolute monarchy” And “Reform is not elimination”, People took part in mass marches to protest what was described as the return of absolute monarchy under King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Some activists were seen spraying graffiti on the streets they were marching through. “This country belongs to the people” read a message. The protest was sparked by Wednesday’s decision of the Thai Constitutional Court, de facto outlawing all calls for reform of the institution of the monarchy.

It said the calls for reform issued by the three protest leaders in August 2020 were unconstitutional and tantamount to an attempt to overthrow the monarchy altogether. “We are not uprooting this country.

Reform is to make it better.” Thatchapong Kadam, one of the protesting leaders, said on Sunday. ,The Constitutional Court is snatching power from the people.”

Protesters also burnt nine effigies of Constitutional Court judges to express their dissatisfaction with the verdict.

The crowd initially planned to march towards the Democracy Memorial in the city centre, but were stopped by the police. He then went to the German embassy where he read a statement drawing attention to the king’s continued stay in the European country.

This is the king. he said “Increased powers … are pulling Thailand away from democracy and towards absolute monarchy,” and that the protesters want to see the nation “Governed by a system in which everyone is equal.”

Police have been deployed collectively in the city to protest against the protest. There have been several brief standoffs between law enforcement and rally participants. Once the mob broke the police cordon. Another particularly tense moment saw a small, tightly packed police formation retreating from the crowd with several officers reportedly shooting rubber bullets at the crowd.

A photo shared on social media showed at least one person with a rubber bullet wound in the stomach. Police confirmed that at least three people were injured on Sunday, adding that the cause of the injuries was unclear. Officials also said explosions were heard as the crowd headed towards the German embassy.

Demands to reform the monarchy in Thailand are considered radical and controversial, as the institution is considered sacrosanct. The nation also has a Les-majeste law, in which anyone found guilty of defaming the monarchy can face up to 15 years in prison. According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights group, at least 157 people have been charged under the law since last year, when there were also widespread protests in Thailand.

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