Police broke up a rally in front of the Myanmar embassy in central Bangkok yesterday as enraged Myanmar citizens demanded the immediate release of the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically elected politicians.
About 200 people gathered in front of the embassy on Sathon Road, supported by about 20 Thai protesters, including Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, Chinawat Jankrajang, Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul and Piyarat "Toto" Chongthep.
Most of the Myanmar protesters were migrant workers and most wore National League for Democracy (NLD) T-shirts and face masks with the NLD's white star and gold bird on it.
Although the protest was peaceful, about 150 riot police broke it up and arrested a Thai protester. At least two people were reportedly injured.
A police source said a security guard was arrested, but Mr Piyarat of the We Volunteer (WeVo) Thai pro-democracy group posted a message saying at least three people were detained.
"Thailand must not endorse and legitimise this coup -- as well as coup government," WeVo said in a statement.
A 23-year-old male protester named Naing Li Noo told the Bangkok Post he rode a motorcycle from his work place in Mor Chit after learning about the rally.
"We are very, very angry. We Burmese people knew how terrible this general is. We want him to release our mother," he said.
He vowed to protest at the embassy again and said he was not afraid to make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary.
"I have nothing to lose. For the sake of my Burmese future generation, I am willing to sacrifice," he said angrily.
Khum Soe Thu, 28, who has lived in Thailand for almost 12 years, said the protest was about more than asking the military to release Ms Suu Kyi.
"It is about restoring democracy in Myanmar. While Suu Kyi was in power, Myanmar people enjoyed freedom of speech and we could say anything we wanted. Besides, gender discrimination decreased. Burmese LGBT have better lives," said Khum Soe Thu.
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said the situation in Myanmar was the neighbouring country's "internal affair" and he believed it would have no impact on political demonstrations in Thailand.
The Thai government needed to have more clarity about the situation before it could respond to it, he said.