It’s join-or-avoid time again as pro-democracy protesters call for rallies that may take place along the BTS rail system.
Rally organizer the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration asked for supporters to wait at any BTS station for an afternoon announcement of the actual venue for a protest at 5pm, aka the time Bangkok traffic goes from unpleasant to soul-crushing.
“Get ready, stand by along the BTS line to wait for our venue announcement at 1pm. *watch closely*,” this morning’s announcement read.
It is likely that soon after announcing the location, it may quickly be changed for the sake of “curry,” protest jargon for blending in disinformation to misdirect the authorities, who have been ratcheting up violence against peaceful protests.
Police went wild at the most recent rally held Saturday at Bangkok’s royal field known as the Sanam Luang. At least 32 people including journalists were injured when police in riot gear opened fire with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons. Six Thai media associations and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand condemned the brutality.
National police chief Suwat Changyodsuk yesterday ordered more than 32,000 officers to undergo additional riot control training he says will hew to international norms in response to the criticism.
