Thai protesters plan big march to PM's office next week

BANGKOK - Thai anti-government activists on Wednesday (Sept 9) announced plans to hold an overnight protest and to rally up to 100,000 people to march on Government House next week, piling more pressure on the military-backed administration to step down. A march on the seat of government would mark the first time the pro-democracy movement, which started rallies in July, moved beyond speeches on stages. "We will stay overnight on university campus on Sept 19 and march the next day," said Ms Panusaya Sithijirawattankul a leader of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. If more people join, the rally would move to a public square beside the city's historic Grand Palace, she said. After a long absence, demonstrations have returned to Thailand streets to demand the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, reviving memories of over a decade of intermittent unrest that culminated in a 2014 coup. Mr Prayuth led that putsch and remained in power after a disputed election last year that he insists was conducted fairly. He has warned Thailand could be "engulfed in flames" if protests persist.

from Asia
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