17 Oct 2023 | 10:37 AM UTC
Thailand: Sit-in protest at Government House in Bangkok to continue, as of Oct. 17 /update 2
Sit-in protest at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, to continue, as of Oct. 17. Increased security, localized disruptions likely.
Event
As of Oct. 17, hundreds of protestors from the Assembly of the Poor are likely to continue a sit-in rally over the coming days. The demonstrators began occupying the Luk Luang Road outside Government House since Oct. 8 to demand land rights. The protestors reportedly clashed with security forces on Oct. 17 when police blocked Assembly of the Poor representatives from walking towards the Office of the Civil Service Commission for a meeting with government officials. Organizers may cancel the rally at short notice if negotiations with officials succeed; as of Oct. 17 the People's Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) has ended a related sit-in protest at Government House that started on Oct. 2 after Cabinet members established a committee to implement P-Move's 10 policy proposals.
Authorities will likely continue to deploy an increased security presence and impose road closures at the protest site and around Government House over the coming days. Localized transport disruptions are likely on Luk Laung Road and Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, especially activists march on roadways ahead of meetings with government officials. Clashes between police and protesters may reoccur, mainly if demonstrators are overly disruptive or ignore police orders to disperse.
Advice
Avoid the demonstration due to possible violence and to minimize travel delays. Allow additional time for journeys in the area. Heed all official transport and security advisories. Depart the area at the first sign of any security disturbance.
