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On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

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On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Protesters’ demands remain the same: a constitutional overhaul, new elections and a reform of the monarchy.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

A protestor is pictured at an anti-government protest in central Bangkok, Thailand where leaders focused on calls for the government to abolish the Royal Defamation Law, Article 112. October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

A protestor from the LGBT community stands on a flag during a speech at an anti-government protest in Bangkok, Thailand. October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

An artwork displayed at an anti-government protest where demonstrators called for the end to Article 112 in Bangkok, Thailand. October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Protestors dance at an anti-government protest in central Bangkok, Thailand on October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Organizers collect signatures for a petition to end Article 112 and allow free speech at a protest in Bangkok, Thailand. October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Leaflets and papers reading “Cancel 112” are thrown from a pedestrian bridge at an anti-government protest in Bangkok, Thailand where demonstrators rallied against the use of Article 112, the Royal Defamation Law. October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Despite heavy rain, demonstrations continued Sunday afternoon in Bangkok, Thailand where protestors rallied against the government and the use of Article 112 on October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Despite heavy rain, demonstrations continued Sunday afternoon in Bangkok, Thailand where protesters rallied against the government and the use of Article 112 on October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Over 1,000 protesters braved heavy rain to support pro-democracy protest leaders in central Bangkok, Thailand on October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Protesters light candles during an anti-government protest in central Bangkok, Thailand on October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Protesters light candles during an anti-government protest in central Bangkok, Thailand on October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Members of Bangkok’s art community used the rally as an opportunity to create pieces focused on the imbalance of power in Thai society and the use of the law to suppress free speech at protest in Bangkok, Thailand on October 31, 2021.

On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again

Over 1,000 demonstrators braved heavy rain on October 31, 2021 to rally against the government and to support free speech in central Bangkok, Thailand.

Protesters took to the streets of central Bangkok on October 31 at the largest rally staged in Thailand since August. Their three demands remained the same: overhaul the constitution, fresh elections to form new government and to reform the monarchy. However, Sunday’s rally shifted focus and took aim at the government’s increasing use of Article 112, or the Royal Defamation law, which has seen dozens of protesters and speakers arrested this year. Article 112 was recently reactivated by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as a response to the increased frequency and intensity of demonstrations in the past 12 months.

Despite heavy rain and the still-significant number of new COVID-19 cases recorded each day, protestors continued with calls earlier in the week to occupy the Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok. Unlike recent rallies that have seen tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets used against protesters, the demonstration remained peaceful with organizers and activists using art, symbolism, music, and dance to voice their opposition toward the current government and political status quo. Notable differences also came from attendees — what was once a primarily youth-led movement has since grown with increasing support coming from a range of age demographics in recent months.

The protest came at a significant time for the country, on the eve of the reopening to international tourists and the end of nightly curfew. Both measures have been in place since the beginning of the pandemic with the nightly curfew being periodically recalled and enforced more recently in light of rising numbers of new COVID-19 infections.