Thailand lifts controversial emergency order banning protests after dozens of arrests
Student-led protesters have given prime minister three days to resign
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A week after it declared emergency, Thailand’s government on Thursday withdrew the order even as protesters continued to come out on the streets demanding the resignation of the military-backed prime minister and former general Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Despite the emergency ban on gatherings and warnings from the authorities, student-led protesters have continued to rally. Far from backing down, on Wednesday the protesters said they were giving the Thai prime minister three days to resign.
During the emergency, dozens of people including activists have been arrested by the police, while the authorities have been accused of using the new rules to prevent legitimate media coverage of demonstrations.
Over the last week, the government of Thailand has blown hot and cold. After declaring an emergency, in the past two days Mr Prayut has called on protesters to de-escalate and work together on a process of dialogue.
In a televised statement on Wednesday, he said that he has been leading the country on the basis of the rule of law and a parliamentary mechanism – a point that has been repeatedly denied by the protesters, who say his authoritarian regime was installed via a military-drafted constitution.
Mr Prayut told protesters that their voices have been heard, and it is now time to bring their demands into consideration, “together with those of others in the Thai society, in a bid to seek an appropriate solution and to reach consensus via the parliamentary mechanism”.
“The only way out of the current problem, which would be fair to all sides, is to talk and work together via the parliamentary process. This path may take time, and may not satisfy those who want to rush to a solution, but it is also the way to avoid damaging the nation. We all need to exercise patience and maturity, and walk the middle path,” the prime minister said.
On Monday, the Thai government released a statement saying the prime minister had endorsed an extraordinary session of parliament to address the current protest situation. Such measures have done little to placate the protest movement so far, however.
For a major part of 2020, anti-government protests have been going on in Thailand. But for the past few months, they have escalated with protesters demanding a new constitution, the resignation of prime minister Prayut and a reduction in the powers of a monarchy which is still much-revered by older generations.
The issue of the monarchy has proved a particularly divisive standpoint, in a country where the king has been protected from criticism by strictly enforced lèse-majesté laws. On Wednesday, supporters of the monarchy turned out in large numbers in Bangkok, prompting clashes with the anti-government protesters.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments