Protesters disrupt Thai PM Prayuth’s speech in New York

‘General Prayuth is a coup maker and a dictator,’ reads a sign held Wednesday behind Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha in New York.
‘General Prayuth is a coup maker and a dictator,’ reads a sign held Wednesday behind Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha in New York.

A number of protesters interrupted a speech being given by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha last night in New York.

Prayuth, in town for the UN General Assembly, was giving comments at the Park Avenue cultural center when several protesters stood up and attempted to disrupt his speech.

“Hey, Mr. Dictator!” shouted one, according to a video of the event. They were quickly removed from the hall.

Prayuth was also greeted by a handful of protesters, including Nachacha Kongudom, who four  years ago was in a Bangkok prison for protesting the coup staged by Prayuth. She was famously arrested in 2014 for making a three-finger salute at the Bangkok premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part I.

Nachacha reportedly later won asylum and has been living in the United States.

Large billboards near the UN were also plastered with messages reading “Don’t let democracy die in Thailand” by a group that also seems behind a full-page ad taken out in Tuesday’s New York Times. Coinciding with Prayuth’s visit, a group of human rights activists and lawyers were there to meet with members of the US Congress and State Department.

Coconuts Bangkok received a number of images from a source on the condition they not be identified.

Prayuth reacts to a protester during his Wednesday speech at the Asia Society.
Prayuth reacts to a protester during his Wednesday speech at the Asia Society.
Protesters including exiled dissident Nachacha Kongudom, second from left, post outside the Asia Society in New York.
Protesters including exiled dissident Nachacha Kongudom, second from left, post outside the Asia Society in New York.

Thai pro-democracy activist Chonthicha Jaengraew, human rights lawyer Sirikan 'June' Charoensiri, and Yingcheep 'Pow' Atchanont of iLaw outside the White House.
Thai pro-democracy activist Chonthicha Jaengraew, human rights lawyer Sirikan ‘June’ Charoensiri, and Yingcheep “Pow” Atchanont of iLaw outside the White House.
Thai pro-democracy activist Chonthicha Jaengraew, at right, with US Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass).
Thai pro-democracy activist Chonthicha Jaengraew, at right, with US Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass).

Related:

Student arrested at Paragon theater for ‘Hunger Games’ salute

Five students sent to military camp for ‘Hunger Games’ salute

Italian activist group confirms it organized anti-Prayuth protest




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