Protesters set Oct 24 deadline for Prayut's resignation, demand release of their leaders
Pro-democracy protesters of the Ratsadon (The People) group have gathered in front of Bangkok Remand Prison in Chatuchak district since Friday afternoon, urging the authorities to release protest leaders who had been arrested and held at the prison.
The protesters also vowed to stay overnight while deploying steel barriers on Ngamwongwan Road, blocking traffic and allowing only the vehicles of rally participants and ambulances.
Protest leaders took turns in giving anti-government speeches, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and the release of arrested leaders, namely Anon Nampa, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattankul, Panupong “Mike Rayong” Chadnok, Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Ekachai Hongkangwan, Suranat Paenprasert, Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, and Patiphan Leucha.
During their speeches, protest leaders also made five demands of the government: Stop all prosecution of arrested leaders; stop harassing the public by limiting their freedom of speech; General Prayut must resign by October 24; allow the amendment of the Constitution as proposed by the people and revoke senators’ voting rights; and reform the monarchy.
At the rally site there was also a music performance by Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpatararaksa, a protest leader who was freed on bail from Bangkok Remand Prison earlier on Friday, as well as a street art exhibition on a single white canvas of over 100 metres along Ngamwongwan Road.