Thai Opposition Leader Says He Plans ‘Flash Mob’ Bangkok Protest
The leader of Thailand’s highest-profile opposition party said he plans to hold a “flash mob” style one-hour rally in Bangkok.
(Bloomberg) -- The leader of Thailand’s highest-profile opposition party said he plans to hold a “flash mob” style one-hour rally in Bangkok on Saturday for people opposed to the pro-military ruling coalition.
“This is an opportunity for people who are against the current regime to come out and show their power,” Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said in a briefing ahead of the rally due late afternoon in downtown Bangkok. “It will be a peaceful gathering.”
Thanathorn called on supporters to “stand up and fight” in a Twitter post Friday that announced the plan for the protest. Earlier in the week, the Election Commission said it will petition a court to break up Future Forward for breaching party financing rules, a charge the organization rejects.
Future Forward is less than two years old but surged in March’s general election, which came after almost five years of junta rule. The reform-minded party is the third largest in parliament and part of a sizable opposition bloc that questions the fairness of the poll and its aftermath.
A pro-military coalition led by former junta chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha took office after the disputed vote with a razor-thin majority.
No matter what the court rules about Future Forward, “we are ready to fight in every way,” Thanathorn said, adding the nation’s military-backed constitution -- Thailand’s 20th charter -- needs to be rewritten so that everyone accepts and respects it.
To contact the reporter on this story: Suttinee Yuvejwattana in Bangkok at suttinee1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sunil Jagtiani at sjagtiani@bloomberg.net, Stanley James
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