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WORLD NEWS Monday 21 SepteMber 2020

Thai protesters install plaque symbolizing democracy

By TASSANEE VEJPONGSA "At the dawn of Sept. 20, king's powers, establish
Associated Press here is where the people tighter controls on palace
BANGKOK (AP) — Anti- proclaim that this country finances and allow open
government demonstrators belongs to the people," discussion of the monarchy.
occupying a historic field in read part of the inscription Their boldness was unprec-
the Thai capital on Sunday on the plaque. In April 2017, edented, as the monarchy
installed a plaque symbol- the original plaque van- is considered sacrosanct in
izing the country's transition ished from Bangkok's Royal Thailand, with a harsh law
to democracy to replace Plaza and was replaced by that mandates a three- to
the original one that was one praising the monarchy. 15-year prison term for de-
mysteriously ripped out "The nation does not be- faming it.
and stolen three years ago, long to only one person, The protesters later at-
as they vowed to press on but belongs to us all," stu- tempted to march toward
with calls for new elections dent leader Parit "Penguin" the Grand Palace to hand
and reform of the monar- Chirawak told the crowd. over a petition seeking roy-
chy. The mass student-led "Therefore, I would like to al reforms to the head of
rally that began Saturday ask holy spirits to stay with the Privy Council, the king's
was the largest in a series of us and bless the people's advisers, but were blocked Pro-democracy student leaders hold a plaque declaring "This
country belongs to the people" at the Sanam Luang field during
protests this year, with thou- victory." by police barricades. One a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020.
sands camping overnight Another activist, Panu- of them, Panusaya, was al- Associated Press
at Sanam Luang field near saya Sithijirawattanakul, lowed to deliver the peti-
the Grand Palace in Bang- said their demands do not tion, which was addressed killed by police. He also Parit also called for another
kok. propose getting rid of the to the king. It was received urged people to withdraw protest Thursday outside
A group of activists drilled a monarchy. "They are pro- by a police official, who their funds and close their parliament to follow up on
hole in front of a makeshift posals with good intentions promised to forward it to accounts at Siam Commer- the protesters' demands.
stage and, after Buddhist to make the institution of the council. cial Bank, in which the king Organizers had predicted
rituals, laid down a round the monarchy remain gra- Just before the rally ended, is the biggest shareholder. that as many as 50,000
brass plaque in cement to ciously above the people Parit called for a general Calls for comment to the people would take part in
commemorate the 1932 under democratic rule," strike on Oct. 14, the an- bank, also known as SCB, the weekend protest, but
revolution that changed Panusaya said. niversary of a popular stu- and several of its corporate Associated Press report-
Thailand from an absolute Still, such calls took the na- dent uprising in 1973 that communications execu- ers estimated that around
monarchy to a constitu- tion by surprise. Protesters' ended a military dicta- tives went unanswered or 20,000 were present by Sat-
tional monarchy. demands seek to limit the torship after dozens were did not connect. urday evening. q