Speakers at a Thai anti-government protest have demanded changes to the monarchy and called for its powers to be curbed in unusually frank public comments. Defaming the royal family is punishable by up to 15 years in prison under Thailand’s lese majeste laws. Police did not stop the six speakers but said any suspected offences would be investigated. Many of the 200 protesters were dressed like Harry Potter and other characters of the popular franchise in what they said was a reference to increasing injustices under the military-backed government. Anon Nampa, a 34-year-old lawyer, accused the palace of taking on increasing powers that undermined democracy and of inaction in the face of attacks on opponents of the government of prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader. After Maha Vajiralongkorn took the throne in 2016, the palace required revisions to a new constitution that gave him greater emergency powers. The king has since taken personal control over some army units and palace assets worth tens of billions of dollars. Meanwhile, some activists have complained of harassment by authorities, saying at least nine opposition figures living abroad have disappeared. Two were later found dead. Reuters has not independently confirmed what happened to them.“Talking about this is not an act to topple the monarchy, but to allow the monarchy to exist in Thai society in the right way and legitimately under a democratic and a constitutional monarchy,” Anon told the group of about 200 at Bangkok’s Democracy monument.

All data is taken from the source: https://www.theguardian.com/
Article Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/thailand-protesters-openly-criticise-monarchy-harry-potter-themed-rally

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