Phuket “car mob” protest demands the removal of PM, calls for mRNA vaccines

Photo via PR Phuket

Hundreds of cars and motorcycles drove through Phuket in a so-called “car mob” rally, calling for the resignation of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and the procurement of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines. Many have criticised the Thai government as it grapples with the most severe wave of Covid-19, a limited supply of vaccines and the emergence of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Earlier this month, red shirt activist Sombat Boonngarm-anong held a massive car protest in Bangkok. People honked horns as they drove through the city to put pressure on government coalition parties to oust the prime minister. The Red Shirt political movement in Thailand was formed after the 2006 coup to protest the military takeover. In 2014, Prayut, who was an army general, seized power in another coup.

The student-led Free Youth movement, which held many of the pro-democracy protests over the past year, also held a protest about a week ago at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, despite the disease control rule prohibiting gatherings of more than 5 people. Police responded with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets.

Since last year, the youth activists have been calling on monarchy and government reform as well as the resignation of Prayut. But last week, the Free Youth announced 3 new demands…

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  1. Immediate and unconditional resignation of Prayut Chan-o-cha
  2. Budget cuts for the monarchy and the army to combat Covid-19
  3. Stop purchasing Sinovac vaccines and bring in mRNA vaccines.

In Phuket’s Saphan Hin area yesterday, hundreds of people honked horns and waved banners as they drove their cars to Phuket City Hall to submit a letter with their demands to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew. They also demanded for Prayut’s removal, budget cuts, and mRNA vaccines. The demonstration was organised by the Phuket People’s Party – Phuket Liberation Group, known in Thai as Khana Ratsadon. Protests had signs saying “Save Phuket” and “Phuket Wants Peace”.

The letter, which listed the exact same demands as Free Youth, by Vice Governor Vikrom Jakthee who said the letter would be given to the governor.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the Khana Ratsadon group said…

“We would like to send this letter to you and the citizens under your care, including tourists who are deciding to come to Phuket in accordance with Phuket sandbox measures, to know that our activities are not intended to cause chaos and cause your citizens to lack confidence in making a decision to travel in Phuket or affect the lifestyle in Phuket.

We just want to send a distress signal and request of the people of Phuket to send it to the Thai government with 3 demands from the people as follows:

  1. Immediate and unconditional resignation of Prayut Chan-o-cha
  2. Budget cuts for the monarchy and the army to combat Covid-19
  3. Stop purchasing Sinovac vaccines and bring in mRNA vaccines. People will strongly remain defiant.

We will continue to expand and progress. Because of knowing that if we ignore politics, we will end up with an abusive government that will lead us to failure and disaster.”

SOURCE: Phuket News

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Tanutam Thawan

Local Thai journalist speaking fluent Thai and English. Tanutam studied in Khon Kaen before attending Bangkok’s Chulalongkhorn University.

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