Topic: Government and Politics. Supporters of the Thai monarchy brought framed photographs of the late King to the rally. AP: Gemunu Amarasinghe. More than 1, yellow-shirted Thai royalists have demonstrated in support of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a day after thousands marched to demand reforms of the monarchy.
Youth and student-led protests began in Thailand in July to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha — a former army ruler — and a new constitution, but have increasingly sought curbs on the monarchy's powers.
So far, royalist demonstrations have been considerably smaller than the tens of thousands of people who have joined the biggest protests against the Government. Tuesday's march was expected to be the largest counter-protest so far in the three months since demonstrations began.
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn praised a "very brave" man who held up a royal portrait at an anti-establishment rally. Reuters: Athit Perawongmetha. Anti-government protesters have accused the king of political involvement and marched to the German embassy on Monday local time to seek an inquiry into whether he exercised his powers during long stays in Germany, something Berlin has said would be unacceptable. The palace has a policy of not commenting to the media and has made no comment since the start of the protests.
Mr Prayuth has ignored demands by opposition parties and protesters to quit. Reuters: Soe Zeya Tun. The King, who is currently in Thailand, this week praised a "very brave" man who held up a royal portrait at an anti-establishment rally — a move that has won him acclaim from monarchists, but scorn from demonstrators. Mr Prayuth has ignored demands to quit and said the crisis should be discussed in Parliament, where his supporters are in the majority, during an emergency session early this week.
