Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned young protesters against violating the monarchy and urged them to bring their concerns to Parliament.
“I'm concerned about such movements and I’ve asked related agencies to be cautious. I understand them and share their parents’ worries,” he said when asked about the student protests on Saturday and Monday.
“Be very careful about violations. I think people won’t tolerate it and allow it to happen again. In fact, it shouldn’t have happened in our country. I won’t talk much about it because I don’t want to make it an issue. As for the three proposals they have, they should send them to Parliament where a committee could be set up to consider their needs,” he said.
The Free Youth and the Student Union of Thailand led a rally near the Democracy Monument on Saturday. They had three demands from the government — dissolve the House, rewrite the constitution and stop intimidating people.
Two days later, a much smaller group staged a protest in front of the army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue after a former army deputy spokeswoman posted a comment they found insulting. A large poster bearing the image of army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong was also torn during the demonstration.