Protesters gathering at Democracy Monument
published : 14 Oct 2020 at 13:19
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Online Reporters
Protesters began gathering at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok on Wednesday morning, led by Arnon Nampha, a core member of the People's Group.
This followed an announcement that the demonstration earlier planned to start at 2pm had been moved up to 8am after 21 protesters were arrested near Democracy Monument on Tuesday night.
Two of those arrested were Jatupat "Pai Dao Din" Boonpattararaksa and singer Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan, aka Ammy The Bottom Blues.
The 21 were being held in Pathum Thani province.
After the arrests, a group of protesters led by Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, gathered in front of the Royal Thai Police Office and demanded their immediate release.
Police did not respond. Mr Parit then said that the demonstration would be moved up to 8am on Wednesday, instead of 2pm.
Protesters from within Bangkok and elsewhere began to arrive at Democracy Monument about 7.30am. They gathered in front of a McDonald's restaurant.
Shortly afterwards, they were joined by more protesters, who arrived in seven vans from Chiang Mai.
At 8.40am, Mr Arnon went up a stage and told them to wait for more people to arrive, until 2pm. He told them to remain peaceful and refrain from violence, and not to clash with any other groups.
He said the McDonald's side of the road would be closed at 2pm, allowing the traffic to flow on the other side.
"Nobody can order us to open the road. It will be opened only for ambulances," Mr Arnon announced.
When an expected royal motorcade passes the spot, the protesters would announce their demands and raise their arms in a three-finger salute.
A motorcade of His Majesty the King will reportedly pass the avenue heading for a ceremony on Wednesday.
Mr Arnon said if the 21 were granted bail and released, they would immediately join them at the demonstration site.
And when everything was ready, the protesters would move to Government House to demand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation, he said.
An armoured riot control truck with water cannons was reportedly behind the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.
Vocabulary
- bail: money that is given to a court when someone is allowed to stay out of prison until their trial. If they do not return for the trial, the court keeps the money - เงินประกัน; การประกันตัว
- cannon: an old type of large heavy gun, usually on wheels, that fires solid metal or stone balls - ปืนใหญ่
- clash: to argue very angrily with someone - ขัดแย้ง
- demonstration: an occasion when a group of people gather together to support or protest about something - การชุมนุม
- gather (verb): to come/bring together in a group - รวมกลุ่ม, รวมตัวกัน, จับกลุ่มกัน, ชุมนุม
- motorcade: a group of cars traveling with someone very important - ขบวนรถ
- protester: someone who shows that they disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc - ผู้ต่อต้าน, ผู้ประท้วง
- refrain: to stop yourself from doing something - ระงับ เลิก
- release: allowing someone to go free - การปล่อยตัว
- resignation: the act of leaving a job, position of power, etc. - การลาออกจากตำแหน่ง
- salute (noun): a formal signal, usually by putting your hand to your head as a way of showing respect to someone - การคำนับ, การแสดงความเคารพ
- violence: physical force with the deliberate intention of causing damage to property or injury or death to people - ความรุนแรง, การใช้กำลังทำลาย
