The cabinet approved a vast sum of money yesterday for police measures to control demonstrations which have re-emerged again recently.
The expenditure of THB191 million (US$6.3 million) was granted during its Tuesday meeting for the Royal Thai Police to spend on equipment, residences, travel expenses and more in order to “control” crowds at future protests.
The decision by the cabinet came after a few demonstrations have been staged since mid-December, when they were suspended, around the time a COVID-19 second wave hit the nation.
Some of the protests that have taken place this month included a Jan. 22 rally outside the Finance Ministry where protesters demanded redistribution of the THB200 billion earmarked for the royal family and army for public relief during the economic downturn. On Tuesday morning, dozens from the Network of Workers for People Rights gathered outside the Government House asking for financial support for 11 million working class people nationwide.
When protesters hit the streets en masse last year, they were met by police in heavy riot gear and chemical-laced water cannons fired upon them at peaceful rallies.
