“Please avoid any symbol or salutation used during the Nazi era,” read the message. “Whoever sees someone do that, please stop them.”
That was the message in a protest Telegram channel this morning, where demonstrators warned each other to resist the urge to go full Nazi at an afternoon rally at the German Embassy today.
“Going to the German Embassy, please don’t wear a Hitler mustache. Don’t dress up in Swastika-patterned shirts. Don’t waive a Nazi flag,” @Here_Tuu_ on wrote Twitter.
The march is scheduled to set out at 5pm from Sam Yan Intersection to the embassy South Sathorn Road about 2 kilometers away. It’s purpose is to petition the Germans to probe the extensive time King Vajiralongkorn lives in Germany.
Motorists have been advised to avoid Rama IV Road between Sam Yan and Witthayu intersections, and South Sathorn Road from the Witthayu Insection down to the YWCA Tower.
After a three-day demand that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha resign passed Saturday, thousands gathered again Sunday afternoon at Ratchaprasong Intersection. In addition to today’s embassy rally, additional demonstrations are likely to occur throughout the week.
As of 10am, the surrounding rail stations of BTS Sala Daeng, MRT Sam Yan and MRT Silom and MRT Lumphini were still operating as usual.
Today is the first of a two-day special parliamentary session convening to discuss the current political protests and possible resolutions.
So-called Nazi chic has been a frequent source of embarrassment for Thailand on the international stage. Nazi paraphernalia is sold widely, with some faulting ignorance borne of a lack of quality world history education.
Last year, the Israel embassy expressed its dismay after a performer in a girl idol group wore a Nazi war flag jersey on stage. In 2016, Silpakorn University students had to apologize for dressing up as Adolf Hitler and Chinese Communist Red Guards for a hazing event. In 2013, graduating Chulalongkorn University students posed giving Nazi salutes in front of a massive graduation mural on campus depicting Hitler among pop culture superheroes.
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