Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
The protests came on Sunday as the kingdom is currently facing its worst wave of COVID-19 infections, recording daily case records as hospitals are squeezing under pressure.
The slow pace of government procurement of vaccines has worsened the toll, prompting criticism as Thailand’s economy abstains from increasingly severe restrictions on businesses.
Challenging rules banning gatherings of more than five people, protesters piled up simulated red-painted body bags near the intersection of the capital’s Monument to Democracy.
“We will die of COVID if we stay home, so we have to leave,” shouted a protest organizer, who listed three lawsuits.
“Prayuth Chan-ocha must resign unconditionally; the second is a budget cut for the monarchy and the army to be used against COVID, and the third is to introduce the mRNA vaccine. “
A giant banner with an image of Prayuth, the mastermind of a 2014 coup, was unfurled on the road with protesters stepping on his face.
As they marched toward the government house, they were led by a group wearing gas masks and hard hats and were joined by motorcyclists lifting the simulated body bags.
But authorities soon deployed water cannons and blocked the main road, forcing protesters to withdraw.
One protester pours water into the eyes of another to help with tear gas [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP]Police also fired rubber bullets and tear gas. He sent protesters dispersing, coughing non-stop as they tried to rinse their eyes with saline.
In the late afternoon, both sides were at a standstill as clouds of gas rose into the air. It was unclear how many were injured.
The pandemic
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Thailand has recorded 403,000 cases of coronavirus and has a death toll of 3,341.
A single-day record of more than 11,000 new infections was recorded on Sunday, while a new maximum of 141 deaths was recorded on Saturday.
Domestic flights to and from Bangkok and other provinces classified by the Thai government as high risk of COVID-19 will be suspended from July 21, the Thai Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) said on Sunday.
Exceptions are being made for medical flights, emergency landing planes and flights related to the government’s tourist reopening programs, according to the announcement.
Other domestic fights can only fly at a capacity of 50 percent.
