Chiang Mai University students demand release of arrested pro-democracy leaders, warn of more rallies
More than 500 Chiang Mai University students gathered in front of the university on Thursday, urging the release of Anon Nampa and Prasit Karutharoj, two pro-democracy activists of Khana Ratsadon 2563 (People’s Party 2020).
Anon and Prasit were among other leaders arrested for participating in a rally near Government House that started on Wednesday after which Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared a state of emergency in Bangkok effective from 4am on Thursday.
At the gathering on Huay Kaew Road in Chiang Mai’s Muang district, the students who called themselves “Prachakhom Mor Chor” (Chiang Mai U Community), took turns to give speeches about pro-democracy movements, while urging the university to take action by helping Prasit, a Faculty of Humanities student at the university, to get his freedom.
Before peacefully dispersing at 10pm, Prachakhom Mor Chor issued three demands:
1. The university must declare their standpoint regarding the arrested student;
2. The government must stop harassing the people and revoke the state of emergency;
3. The arrested rally leaders must be released.
They also threatened to ratchet up their rallies if these demands were not met.
Fifteen officials from Phu Ping Ratchaniwet Police Station were deployed to monitor the situation as well as facilitate traffic flow on Huay Kaew Road.