Thousands of Thais took to the streets of the capital on Sunday demanding reforms of the monarchy, defying a court ruling that such demands are a veiled attempt to overthrow the institution.
Youth-led protests that began last year by calling for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 66, a former coup leader, have become the biggest challenge in decades to the monarchy which is constitutionally enshrined to be held in "revered worship".
"The king's increased powers in recent years are pulling Thailand away from democracy and back to absolute monarchy," a protester read in a statement after the demonstration reached the German embassy in Bangkok.1/2 "The word 'reform' is not equivalent to abolition," said protester Peeyawith Ploysuwan, 25. "You only want to do the things you desire and see people with opposing views as bad guys... If society continues like this, how can we move forward?"
Since the protests began last year, at least 157 people have been charged under the law, according to records compiled by the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights group.last week that a call for reforms to the monarchy by three protest leaders in August last year was unconstitutional and designed to topple the institution.
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