• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
  • Volunteer
    • Internship with The Online Citizen
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Prominent Thai democracy activist arrested

by The Online Citizen
14/08/2020
in Asia
Reading Time: 2 mins read
1

Source: Parit Chiwarak Facebook page.

Thai police on Friday arrested a prominent democracy activist after his participation in protests calling for government reforms, a new constitution and an overhaul of a law shielding the powerful monarchy.

Thailand has seen near-daily demonstrations in recent weeks by student-led groups angry at the government of former military chief Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

The arrest of Parit Chiwarak, broadcast live on Facebook by a friend, saw police read out several charges against him before he was bundled into a waiting car.

“I can confirm that Parit Chiwarak has been arrested… The charges relate to the demonstration on July 18,” Police Major General Somprasong Yentaum told AFP, referring to one of the largest rallies so far.

The detention of Chiwarak — also known as “Penguin” — is the third in a week after two other protesters were arrested last Friday on the same charges, which include sedition and breaking coronavirus regulations. They were subsequently released on bail.

The protesters, inspired by the Hong Kong democracy movement, have tried to remain leaderless, relying on social media campaigns to spread news about their rallies.

Thailand has been locked in a cycle of coups and street protests for decades, with the latest putsch in 2014 staged by Prayut.

Demonstrators are now calling for a rewrite of the military-scripted 2017 constitution, which they say tipped the scales in favour of Prayut’s military-aligned party in last year’s election.

Coronavirus lockdowns have this year seen Thailand enter a downward economic spiral that has brought widespread discontent to the surface.

Prayut on Thursday called for unity and urged the kingdom to “say no to the politics of hate” in a televised address.

He also poured scorn on the protesters’ demands, saying they are without support from much of the country and are “risky”.

On Monday, one rally saw thousands listening to speakers calling for a frank discussion of the royal family’s role and an end to a law protecting the unassailable institution.

The notorious “112” law can see those convicted sentenced to up to 15 years in jail for each charge.

The super-rich royal family, which commands an estimated fortune of up to $60 billion, sits at the apex of Thai power, supported by a powerful military and the country’s elite billionaire class.

More than 140 university lecturers from across the kingdom this week showed their support for the protest movement by signing a petition saying the demands of the demonstrators were “based on the basic principles of democracy”.

– AFP

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Source: AFP
Tags: AFP
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Recent Posts

  • Taiwan transport minister resigns over train crash
  • S’pore economy grows 0.2% in first quarter; MAS keeps monetary policy unchanged amid low core inflation outlook
  • Netizens question how woman who abused domestic helper allowed to become prison counsellor
  • Over 100mil devices at risk from NAME:WRECK DNS bugs, CSA advise firms to patch systems immediately
  • Public member highlights lax social distancing control in airport allowing travellers to intermingle
  • 16 new cases of COVID-19 infection in S’pore; all cases are imported
  • Countries that license bicycles do it for reasons such as insurance and anti-theft, not lack of road safety compliance
  • India’s daily COVID caseload doubles in 10 days to 200,000

Trending posts

Here’s why many Singaporeans aren’t bothered who the ruling party chooses to become PM

Ho Ching shares not 1, not 2, but 7 Facebook posts by Chan Chun Sing in a row within 15 minutes

Ho Ching now shares 13 Facebook posts by Lawrence Wong consecutively within 6 minutes

FB post criticising Minister Chan Chun Sing’s leadership skills re-emerges in light of recent 4G leadership discussion

Just stop with the charade; Chan is PAP’s preferred PM successor

MP Poh Li San explains to media why RSAF Super Puma was replaced with Airbus H225M

Roy Ngerng raises over S$125,000 over 7 days of fund raising to pay for PM Lee’s defamation damage

Here’s why many Singaporeans aren’t bothered who the ruling party chooses to become PM

AETOS auxiliary police officer arrested for armed robbery of a moneylender in Jurong

PM Lee hopes Govt can decide on tudung issue by National Day Rally — but netizens say “S’poreans never against them wearing tudung”

Load More
August 2020
MTWTFSS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31 
« Jul   Sep »
  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply