Thousands of supporters of Future Forward Party turned out for an anti-military rally called by its leader Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit on the Skywalk at Pathumwan Intersection in downtown Bangkok Saturday evening
The demonstrators chanted “Prayut get out” in probably the biggest political rally since the general election in March.
Addressing the demonstrators, Thanathorn said the rally was just a harbinger of more political activities against the Prayut government. He threatened to “bring people to the streets” next month. He did not provide details but is understood to be referring to a running event entitled “Run Against Lung” planned for January 12 next year by anti-Prayut activists.
Thanathorn told the crowd that the rally was meant to demonstrate people’s anger at what he described as injustice that he and his Future Forward Party are suffering from. Thanathorn organized the rally three days after the Election Commission decided to ask the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving the Future Forward Party which was accused of violating the Political Parties Act by receiving personal loans from Thanathorn to finance its March election campaigns.
The rally which was marked by strong anti-military rhetoric lasted less than an hour and was largely peaceful. Though police maintained that no permission was granted for the rally, they did not intervene with the activity.
Prime Minister Prayut has dismissed the rally as “a personal matter”, apparently referring to legal problems facing Thanathorn.
