- Title: Thai activists hold democracy march
- Date: 22nd May 2016
- Summary: ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) STUDENT LEADER, RANGSIMAN ROME, SAYING: "Thailand is not moving anywhere but backwards. Many issues are worsening such as human rights and freedom of expression. We cannot express ourselves or comment on anything connected with the referendum without risking arrest." PEOPLE STANDING AT DEMOCRACY MONUMENT (SOUNDBITE)(Thai) STUDENT LEADER, RANGSIMAN ROME, SAYING: "We are about to have the national referendum but we are not allowed to speak or comment about it. This referendum will never succeed, will never be accepted." POLICE STANDING ON SIDE OF ROAD PRO-MILITARY ACTIVISTS YELLING / POLICE PRO-MILITARY ACTIVIST YELLING (Thai): "Traitor, get out" PRO-MILITARY ACTIVIST YELLING (Thai): "These children are bastards. They destroy democracy." PRO-MILITARY ACTIVIST YELLING POLICE IN MIDDLE OF ROAD
- Embargoed: 6th June 2016 15:49
- Keywords: Thailan activists democracy coup anniversary
- Location: BANGKOK,THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK,THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0034IW2EYT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A group of about 300 anti-military activists, led by university students, held a pro-democracy march in the Thai capital on Sunday (May 22).
Holding posters against the military and the junta-backed draft constitution, they marched from Thammasat University to Democracy Monument in the old town, to mark the second anniversary of a coup by the army, and demand a return to democracy.
On May 22, 2014, Thailand's army toppled the remnants of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government.
It was the military's 12th successful coup since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, and khaki army uniforms replaced the yellow and red shirts of the protesters that had paralysed Bangkok for months.
A referendum on a junta-backed draft constitution is due on August 7, and the government has promised an election in 2017.
Yingluck is on trial in the Supreme Court on corruption charges stemming from a state rice subsidy scheme and faces up to a decade in jail if found guilty.
A leader to replace her has yet to emerge, leaving the opposition struggling to mount a campaign for a no vote to a constitution they say would enshrine military power for years.
Thailand's divisive politics have gone underground due to a junta ban on political activity. The army has moved quickly to snuff out recent small anti-junta an anti-constitution protests in Bangkok. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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