Protesters advise police of plan for today’s Bangkok rally, several routes affected

The pro-democracy group, “Bad Students”, has formally submitted details of today’s rally to officers at Chanasongkram Police Station in Bangkok. Posting on its Facebook page, the group says it has advised police of its plans to assemble in front of the Education Ministry on Ratchadamnoen Road at 1pm today, before marching to the Democracy Monument. There, the group will join the “Mob Fest” event being organised by other pro-democracy groups, including Women for Freedom and Democracy.

Bad Students is one of the core groups of demonstrators who have been taking to the nation’s streets since July. Their platform is also focussing on education reform, the regulation of the Education Minister, changes to the draconian haircut and uniform rules and greater attention to the many cases of sexual abuse and harassment of Thai students.

Meanwhile, protest leader and human rights lawyer Anon Nampa has also taken to social media to refute a recent claim by officials that protest numbers are dwindling. On Thursday, the National Security Council weighed into the political fray by claiming that the number of activists was falling, but Anon warns that today’s rally is a precursor to a much larger one next week. He also noted that the government should be careful “not to fuel more anger”, which could lead to protest numbers getting out of control.

“This is the first 3 months after Monarchy reform was first mentioned. People are getting over their fear and are searching for a better future. This is just the beginning.”

According to a report in Nation Thailand today, police are urging the public to avoid affected routes in the capital today, as traffic may be very heavy and some routes may be closed around Bangkok.

These include: Rajdamnoen Avenue, Somdet Phra Pinklao Road, Wisutkasat Road, Chakkraphatdi Phong Road, Lan Luang Road, Din So Road, Ta Nao Road, Rama VIII Bridge and Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge.

“The Mob Fest group said they will gather at Democracy Monument from 2pm onwards, while the Bad Student and the Women for Freedom and Democracy groups announced they would gather at the Khok Wua intersection in Phra Nakhon district from noon. The Metropolitan Police Bureau would deploy traffic police around the rally areas to facilitate traffic flow and minimise impact on the public.”

Drivers and pedestrians travelling from Phra Nakhon district to Thonburi are advised to use Rama IV and Rama VI roads, and the Yommarat Expressway. Those travelling in the other direction should take Boromrat Chonnani Road, Phra Pok Klao Bridge, Memorial Bridge and Taksin Bridge.

Also today, Sam Yot and Sanam Chai MRT stations are closed to allow for the official opening of the Blue line extension, which will be carried out by His Majesty the King and the Queen at Sanam Chai station at 5pm. The line between Sam Yot and the terminal at Lak Song will be closed from 4pm today. It will re-open, along with the 2 closed stations, once the official ceremony has finished.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand