Group rallies in Patong for end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

A group rallied in Patong on Saturday, calling for an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The group of around 30 people gathered a year and one day after Russia first invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The demonstrators, many of whom were Ukrainians and Russians, held placards with slogans in English and Russian, The Phuket News reported. Slogans included “No war;” “Peace for Ukraine;” “We do not need war;” “We are many, we are not alone;” “Russians against war;” “Putin go away;” “Russia will be free;” and “Freedom to all political prisoners.”

Some demonstrators held Ukrainian flags, while others held the new Russian blue and white flags used by those who oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The demonstration of placards reportedly only continued for about 15 minutes. No Thais appeared to take part in the rally.

This news comes after Thailand was one of 141 countries at the United Nations (UN)’s General Assembly on June 23 that voted for Russia to end the war in Ukraine and withdraw troops immediately. Seven countries voted against and 32 countries abstained.

Thailand’s vote was significant since Thailand refused to condemn Russia’s annexation of Ukraine at a UN Assembly in October 2022, abstaining from the vote.

Thailand’s former stance on Russia and Ukraine was to remain neutral. In March last year, a government spokesperson said that all parties should exercise “maximum restraint,” and stressed that PM Prayut supported a policy of ‘dialogue’ to achieve peace.

But not all in Thailand agreed with this stance.

Earlier this month, there was another display of defiance in Phuket against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A graffitist spray painted an anti-Putin slogan on a large rock on a Phuket beach. The slogan criticising Russia’s president was spray painted on a rock at Nai Thon Beach.

The slogan, written in English, read, “Putin killer stop war,” with Russian writing underneath.

Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, a total of 7,155 civilians have been killed as of February 5 2023, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).