Thousands of people dressed in yellow flocked to Sanam Luang and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on Sunday to demonstrate their loyalty to His Majesty the King, while a group of anti-government protesters converged near the Bang Na area.
Royalists occupied the pavements and the area inside the temple for hours, waiting for the motorcade of His Majesty as the King as he visited the temple to change the attire of the Buddha statue from rainy season to winter season garb.
Actor and volunteer rescue worker Bin Banluerit said the gathering was held with no political agenda. They merely wanted to show the King and Her Majesty the Queen their loyalty. He was among several famous figures urging people to come out to show their respect for the monarchy amid calls for its reform from some anti-government leaders.
Bin was allowed to prostrate at the King's feet when the King came out to meet royalists outside Wat Phra Kaeo after he finished changing the Emerald Buddha image's attire. "It is my first time to touch and prostrate at the King's feet. He has relieved my tiredness. I am feeling overwhelmed to meet [him] and see his face.
His Majesty the King writes a message on a portrait presented to him by a well-wisher waiting outside the Grand Palace to pay respects to Their Majesties yesterday. The message reads: ‘Let us love the Thai nation and the people. Love our country and our compatriots with compassion and unite to do good deeds.’ (Photo: The Royal Household Bureau)
Yellow-clad people wave national and royal flags to demonstrate their loyalty to Their Majesties the King and Queen as they wait for Their Majesties to arrive. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Twin actors, Ekkaphan and Bin Banluerit, first and second from left, join the gathering of royalists in front of Wat Phra Kaeo while some yellow-clad people use their camera phones to take photos. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
"The King also thanked me for helping the people. I consider this the highest merit of my life. I will come out to beg an audience with the King again on Dec 5,'' Bin said.
Also on Sunday, the pro-monarchy Thai Pakdee (Loyal Thai) group outlined reasons why it is against attempts to rewrite the constitution, saying rewriting the entire charter without a sound reason will do more harm than good. Led by former Democrat MP Warong Dechgitvigrom, the group said the draft of the current charter was supported by the majority voice of 16.8 million people at a referendum, so it should be respected by politicians.
If the constitution is rewritten, 10 new organic laws will also be needed along with the new constitution, which opens the way for politicians to manipulate the drafting of all 11 laws to serve their own interests, said the group. More importantly, certain parties are attempting to exploit the opportunity of a charter rewrite to pave the way for overthrowing the monarchy with the help of mounting pressure being created by anti-government protesters, said the group.
A key strength of the constitution is improvements in legal mechanisms for fighting corruption, which certain politicians may dislike, said the group. The constitution also helps prevent the 40-billion-baht state budget from being spent uselessly each year by MPs, by imposing stricter scrutiny on budget spending, according to the group. "The constitution had not caused any problems to anyone, despite what critics said. In fact, it helps protect the public interest," said the group.
People wearing yellow shirts hold portraits of Their Majesties in a show of solidarity for the institution. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
People wave national flags as they wait for the arrival of Their Majesties. His Majesty replaced the Emerald Buddha’s rainy season robes with winter attire at Wat Phra Kaeo in the compound of the Grand Palace. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Anti-government protesters make the three-fingered salute at a gathering near Udom Suk BTS station in Bang Na district to continue their demonstrations. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyathep)
Meanwhile, anti-government protesters which called themselves "All People End Game" gathered near the Udom Suk BTS station in Bang Na district to continue their demonstrations against the government. First, they called for the discarded 1997 constitution to be reinstated, as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and a charter rewrite.
Free Youth, a key element in the anti-government movement, posted on its Facebook a plea for its supporters to keep hope alive as the protest looks set to continue for some time. The group also urged supporters to comment as to what other forms of anti-government protest should be adopted.