PEOPLE’S Party demonstrators jeered at a government whip as he gave a short speech on the stage they had set up outside Parliament this afternoon (June 24) forcing him to dash inside the building for cover, Siam Rath and Sanook.com said.
This occurred during a symbolic rally to mark the 89th anniversary of the June 24, 1932 revolution by the Khana Ratsadon that transformed Thailand from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy.
The demonstrators, led by Mr. Jarupat Boonpattararaksa, or Phai Dao Din, and Mr. Parit Chivarak, or Penguin, had marched from the Democracy Monument to Parliament to deliver an open letter and a copy of Thailand’s first constitution to representatives of the government and the opposition.
Opposition whips from Phue Thai Party, MPs Mr. Somkid Chuekong from Ubon Ratchathani and Mr Cholanan Srikaew from Nan, received the papers without any trouble.
However when Mr. Sira Chenchaka, Palang Pracharat Party MP from Bangkok and government whip, got on the stage to receive the papers chaos ensued after he said even though the draft constitutional amendment that they had brought along is not in time for this round of amendments, but this is not the final amendment and they could submit their draft again next time.
This angered the demonstrators who booed and flung things at him forcing him to dash back to the building for safety.
Before setting forth on their march to Parliament, during which they had to take a couple of detours after running into police blockades, the demonstrators had burnt a papier-mâché replica of the Democracy Monument.
After that at 10.32 a.m. Phai Dao Din told the demonstrators that there are three goals to today’s activities.
These are that the constitution must come from the people; the structure set up by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha be dismantled including the appointed Senate; and every section of the constitution must be open for amendment.
CAPTION:
Scenes from today’s demonstration at Parliament and Democracy Monument. Thai headline in top photo says, “Going to Parliament.” Last photo shows Government whip Mr. Sira Chenchaka on the demonstrators’ stage. All photos by Sanook.com, Mr Sira photo by Siam Rath
