Bangkok, Oct 15,2020: Thai government has announced an emergency decree to stem largely peaceful student-led democracy protests in Bangkok, including a ban on large gatherings.
The emergency measures came into effect at 0400 hrs local time on Thursday (2100 GMT on Wednesday) after a televised announcement read out by police said urgent measures were needed to “maintain peace and order”.
According to a BBC report, three key protest leaders — the human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, student activist Parit Chiwarak, widely known by his nickname “Penguin” and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul. have also been arrested.
Both Anon and Panusaya have been arrested earlier as well.
Among the key demands being made by demonstrators are that the government headed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army chief who seized power in the coup, be dissolved; that the constitution be rewritten and that authorities stop harassing critics.
Shortly after the decree took effect, Thai riot police cleared protesters from outside the prime minister’s office. Some tried to resist, using makeshift barricades, but they were pushed back, Reuters news agency reported.
Hundreds of police were seen on the streets even after protesters were dispersed.
