THE thousands of people protesting at Ratchaprasong intersection this evening (Oct. 25) pressed on with demands for the government to resign and the release of their detained friends and vowed to continue fighting for democracy till they win, Thai Rath newspaper reported.
At 6 p.m. the demonstrators stood up and gave the three-finger salute after which they turned on their mobile phone flashlights, turning the area into a sea of stars, and then sang the national anthem.
Earlier Mr. Sombat Boonngam-anong, a political activists who is also known as Bor Kor Lai Chud, said in an interview with reporters of this newspaper that if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha resigned now it would greatly improve the atmosphere and lead to social conversations taking place.
However if the situation remains unchanged, it is impossible to see the way forward, he added.
As for the protesters’ three demands: Gen. Prayut and his group resign; Parliament immediately open an extraordinary session to accept the people’s draft constitution amendment; and monarchy reform; Sombat thinks the first two demands must be met first with the third demand being a sensitive issue.
He pointed out that Thailand lacked a culture of discussing sensitive matters and the lack of opportunity to do so also led to a lack of skills.
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The demonstration at Ratchaprasong intersection this evening. Photos: Thai Rath
