The Civil Court has rejected a petition by four prominent activists for a court injunction to stop the government from exercising the emergency decree to bar their gathering on Sunday in protest against the lese majeste law.
The judge argued the government still needs to prohibit the gathering, which could heighten the risk of Covid-19 spreading, said a source.
The four activists, led by Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, filed a request for an injunction along with an urgent hearing on the new ban that was announced on Friday. The court issued its ruling on Friday evening.
According to the petition, at least 10,000 people planned to gather on Sunday at the Ratchaprasong intersection from 4pm until 10pm. Organisers planned to set up a rally stage and announce a new movement aimed at drumming up support for an end to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, better known as the lese majeste or royal defamation law.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), at least 145 people are currently facing charges under Section 112.
Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, another veteran protest leader, said sarcastically that Sunday’s event would serve as a welcome to international tourists visiting Thailand when the government’s reopening plan begins on Monday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday urged protesters to stop violence at their daily street protests from affecting the tourism promotion scheme.
Gen Jirasant Kaewsaengake, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the police are now preparing for more than 20 protest groups expected to turn up at the Ratchaprasong intersection.