Anti-Government Protests Grow Again in Thailand

BANGKOK - For the second time in as many days, anti-government protesters took to the streets of Bangkok demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha.

Saturday's demonstrations came two days after protesters gathered by the thousands outside parliament and Cabinet offices to mark 89th anniversary of Thailand’s transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one. Thursday's gatherings were the first anti-government rallies since the Southeast Asian country's most drastic resurgence of COVID-19 infections triggered lockdowns in April. Hundreds turned out again Saturday in violation of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions to apply more pressure on the government. “We would like to get a new government to control Thailand. We need to change the constitution first and then we change all the system. We have to rewrite again," said Witsaruj, 34, who told VOA he regularly participates in the demonstrations. “I think the power of the people [can] make the change. If we have a meaningful vote, then we can restart Thailand. Democracy is the power of the people.”