Police fired rubber bullets to prevent demonstrators moving from Din So Road near Democracy Monument in Bangkok to the Apec summit venue yesterday, and made 25 arrests.
The situation became tense as the protest group calling itself "Citizens Stop Apec 2022" began moving to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Crowd control police lined up to block them. Reporters and others were ordered to leave.
Police asked demonstrators to return to the Lan Khon Muang Town Square in front of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (City Hall), the designated site for their gathering.
Around 10am, leading protesters announced they would escalate the rally and gave police 20 minutes to prepare before the group moved out. Demonstrators later moved closer to police vehicles and barricades set up along the road, resulting in a clash with riot control police.
Police arrest 25 people on charges of assault, vandalism, arson, and obstructing officers. (Photos by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
Police used shields and rubber batons to stop the crowd. They arrested seven men and one woman, who were taken to Thung Song Hong police station.
Angry demonstrators kept shouting "Release our friends!" as they gathered near the police cordon on Din So Road. Riot control police armed with tear gas formed a second row.
At 10.05am, anti-government activist Patsaravalee "Mind" Tanakitvibulpon made a speech from atop a vehicle, criticising the government for using police to fight the people.
She described this as a violation of the rights protected under the charter and demanded the immediate release of the protesters.
At 10.12am, riot control police began firing rubber bullets.
"Police fired rubber bullets at us despite the fact we are unarmed. We never intended to assault them. They told us they would give way so we could submit our demands.
"This is what happens under the government led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Police have no backbone and opt to use violence against people. Five demonstrators were injured and many arrested," Ms Patsaravalee said.
Pol Maj Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesman for the security and traffic operations centre, said about 350 demonstrators left the Town Square around 8.50am, in violation of the ban on large gatherings.
Police warned them via loudspeakers to no avail, he said. He accused the group of assaulting riot police by throwing stones, damaging a police truck and injuring five officers.
