PROTESTERS were again out on the street to press Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down today (Aug. 16) but changed their destination after starting their march and headed for the Government House instead of the premier’s house within the First Infantry Regiment compound on Vibhavadi Rangsit road, Siam Rath newspaper said.
The leaders of the human rights activist group Thalufah (Through the Sky) staging today’s demonstration decided to avoid the Din Daeng junction where clashes have erupted over the past few days between protesters and police who have placed a barrier of containers and rolls of barbed wire to block them from reaching Gen. Prayut’s house which is just a kilometre away from this point.
The protesters had first marched down Phaholyothin soi 2 to reach the Gen Prayut’s house from this alternative route to avoid the Din Daeng junction with the leaders announcing that this is a peaceful assembly and if the authorities intercept them they would not use violence.
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However at 4.20 p.m. the protest leaders decided to switch their destination to the Government House.
Before setting forth they performed some symbolic activities with one being bringing an effigy representing a Covid patient sitting on a wheelchair and placing it together with effigies of Covid dead bodies amid speeches attacking the government’s handling of the Covid vaccination drive.
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Protesters display an anti-Prayut banner as they march to the Government House. Photos: Siam Rath
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