BANGKOK — Thousands of protesters in cars and on bikes massed in
Bangkok's central shopping district Sunday, one of several mobile rallies
across Thailand demanding Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha resign over his handling of
the coronavirus pandemic.
اضافة اعلان
The kingdom is grappling with its worst outbreak so far, registering record
numbers of daily infections each week as hospitals struggle to cope.
In total,
it has reported more than 907,000 cases and 7,551 deaths from COVID-19.
A sluggish vaccine roll-out — coupled with financial woes from weeks-long
restrictions on businesses — has fanned anger at Prayut's administration.
Sparked by concerns about public gatherings
spreading the virus, protesters
have in recent weeks turned to organizing massive car convoys at major
intersections — thus clogging up Bangkok's already traffic-choked streets.
Thousands turned up in their cars and motorbikes Sunday in at least three
rallies across the Thai capital — with the largest near Bangkok's gleaming
shopping malls, empty in recent weeks.
"The time is up for Prayut. The government has shown clearly they will
not take responsibility for any loss," shouted Nattawut Saikuar, a
politician long associated with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Protesters — who were joined by saffron-robed monks — flashed the
three-finger salute of resistance.
Some then moved to Din Daeng intersection, which was the site of several
clashes earlier this week between protesters and police.
Cargo containers stacked on top of each other blocked the road to Prayut's
residence.
Police stationed on an elevated tollway deployed water cannon against
protesters who set off firecrackers and threw projectiles.
More so-called "car mobs" also rallied in the beach city of
Pattaya just two hours from Bangkok, as well as in the northern cultural hub of
Chiang Mai.
Only use force when
'necessary'
Sunday's protests come after a week of clashes between demonstrators and
police, who have increasingly used rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas to
quell the rallies.
At least three protesters were injured Friday, but authorities have defended
their use of force as appropriate.
"We only use it (force) when it is necessary," National Police
chief Suwat Jangyodsuk told a Sunday press conference before the rallies kicked
off.
The antigovernmental movement first gained momentum last July.
At its peak, it drew tens of thousands to street rallies, demanding the
resignation of Prayut — a former army chief who came to power via a 2014
coup.
But attendances have waned this year, as the public stayed away due to COVID-19
fears.
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