The Thai News Agency (TNA) announced that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha signed an emergency order at 2:00 a.m. on October 15 declaring a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok since 4:00 a.m. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha signed an emergency order at 2:00 a.m. on October 15, declaring a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok from 4:00 a.m. and assigning Deputy Prime Minister General Bayat Wongsuwan the task of maintaining security. Subsequently, five key leaders of the people’s group responsible for launching the “10.14 anti-government rally” were arrested.
On October 14, nearly 10,000 protesters gathered in front of the government residence in response to the anti-government student rally. The protesters called for three things: first, the resignation of Bayat; second, the convening of an emergency session of parliament to discuss a constitutional amendment bill; and third, the reform of the royal family. The following day, Thai newspapers and media published a commentary headline: “Students’ demands: Bayon fails to fulfill”. There were rumors that a new military coup might be in the offing.
It was reported that another yellow-clad group, chanting “the royal family is supreme,” held a simultaneous rally on the 14th. At one point, a brawl broke out over a protest gesture made by the other side as the “royal motorcade” passed by.
According to a video released before her arrest, student leader Hazy (@pnasyaarungeecchng) said the anti-government demonstrations would continue, calling on supporters to continue their rallies on the streets of Labasone, near the Four-Faced Buddha, at 4 p.m. on the 15th. Social media tweeted that the people’s group was preparing a second and even third generation of school leaders and would not stop demonstrating because of the arrest of a core group of supporters. Thailand’s main opposition party (Move Forward Party) issued a statement in support of the pro-democracy rally.
In addition, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Thailand on March 15. The two sides held talks on the Xinguan vaccine, the Belt and Road Program, and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) investment project.
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