Political activists across the country staged peaceful gatherings on Wednesday 24th June 2020 to mark the 88 year anniversary of the 1932 revolt, which ended the absolute monarchy in what was then Siam.
About 40 demonstrators gathered In Bangkok at the city’s Democracy Monument and played a large-screen video re-enacting the speeches made by leaders of Khana Rassadorn (People’s Party) after they toppled the government of King Prajadhipok and ushered in Thailand’s first government with a constitutional monarchy.
Protester Anon Nampa said, “Eighty-eight years ago today at around dawn, Khana Rassadorn seized power and changed the system of governance to a democracy”. Another protest was planned outside parliament.
Activists demanded amendments to the constitution written by the junta that preceded the current coalition government. Critics say the charter is designed to keep the military in power.
Anusorn Unno of the Committee Campaigning for a People’s Constitution said, “We want to use the revolt anniversary to make our point about the problematic nature of the constitution drafted by the military”.
Police Lt General, Surapol Younooch, a commander attached to the Royal Thai Police said, “Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed security agencies to monitor the activists who staged the gatherings”.
