Protesters are gathering in Thailand to demand reforms to the country's ultra-wealthy and powerful monarchy - a once-taboo topic due to tough royal defamation laws.
Pro-democracy protesters took to the streets of Bangkok for what organisers say will be the largest demonstration so far.
Pro-democracy protest leader Panupong Jadnok waves flags on a truck outside Thammasat University during a protest in Bangkok.Some are also demanding reforms to Thailand's ultra-wealthy and powerful monarchy - a once-taboo topic in Thailand due to its tough royal defamation laws. At noon a crowd of hundreds forced open the locked gates of the campus, chanting"Down with dictatorship, long live democracy!" and"Prayut get out!"A pro-democracy protester dressed in a zombie nun costume performs the three-finger salute at Thammasat University during a protest in Bangkok.Prominent student activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul said Friday reforming the monarchy was at the top of the agenda, asserting that they hoped"to adapt it to our society".
The show of force is expected to be the largest since the 2014 coup - student activists are hoping for a turnout of more than 50,000. The student demands include greater accounting of the palace's finances, the abolition of royal defamation laws and a call for the king to remain outside of politics.They also want a rewrite of the 2017 military-scripted constitution, which they say tilted last year's election in Prayut's favour, and for the government to stop"harassing" political opponents.
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