Thailand: Demonstrations to take place in Bangkok March 10 and 24 /update 2

Event

Civil society organizations have called for demonstrations to take place in Bangkok on Saturday, March 10, and Saturday, March 24, to demand that the Thai government stops delaying the general election. According to local sources, the demonstrations are expected to be held between Thammasat University and Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Political activists have also announced plans to hold similar demonstrations on every Saturday in May.

Associated demonstrations, and a consequent heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions, are possible in Bangkok and other Thai cities in protest of the delayed election.

Context

Civil society organizations, including the People Go Network (PGN), and political activists have staged several demonstrations in Bangkok in recent weeks to demand the Thai government to hold the elections. Hundreds of people have participated in the protests. Amnesty International has claimed that the Thai military government has ongoing criminal proceedings against dozens of pro-democracy and human rights activists, aimed at quelling political dissent.

The general election had already been delayed several times by the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO), which has been in power since the 2014 military coup.

Advice

Individuals in Thailand are advised to monitor developments to the situation and stay abreast of the general political climate, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.