Protesters march to military base, oppose transfer of two regiments to Palace control
Anti-establishment demonstrators on Sunday marched from BTS Wat Phra Sri Mahathat station to the 11th Infantry Regiment base, demanding the return of the military unit to the Defence Ministry.
The regiment, along with the 1st Infantry Regiment base, were transferred to Palace control under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration.
The protest leaders argued that such a transfer expands the power of the King beyond the constitutional monarchy system. They demanded reform of the monarchy to ensure transparency and accountability. Dozens of protesters have been charged by police with violating the draconian lese majeste law, under which those found guilty get punishment of up to 15 years in prison.
Police earlier placed many containers and wires to block roads leading to the 1st Infantry Regiment base, but the protesters made a sudden change in plan and decided to march to the 11th Infantry Regiment base instead.
The protesters also vowed to resist if the military staged another coup. Prayut had led a coup in 2014 that toppled an elected government.
Among the 10-point manifesto to reform the Palace, the protesters demanded that HM the King refuse to endorse a coup.