Thai Coup anniversary marked by a protest on Sunday, May 22
Bangkok – The 2nd anniversary of the Thailand’s latest coup led by Prayuth Chan-O-Cha (the incumbent) in 2014 has been marked by a protest on Sunday at Democracy Monument in Bangkok. A crowd of anti-coup protesters have marched from Tammasat University to the Monument expressing “NO” to the Junta drafted constitution. Some of them were wearing “NO VOTE” T-Shirts. The referendum for the draft will be held on August 8 according to the Junta’s time table. The military government has warned a few times that any discussion about the draft and ‘no vote campaign’ would not be allowed.
During the Sunday’s rally protesters have chanted “Ti Ni Mi Khon Ddai”, which means “People died here”. In various political turmoils in recent decades, the Democracy Monument has been a place, where bloody crackdown has occurred. In April 10 2010 under the Democrats government, for instance, more than two dozens – mostly civilians with 6 soldiers – have died near the Monument as the army and Red Shirts were clashed.
This year’s anniversary has been organized by students-led New Democracy Movement (or NDM). Outstandingly however high turnout of the middle-aged citizens has been witnessed. The following photos were selected to expose more of those citizens, accordingly.
All rights reserved © Lee Yu Kyung / Penseur21
“Stop Violence” sign at the Coup anniversary © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Last year, anti-coup protesters were violently taken by police as they tried to mark the 1st anniversary of the 2014 coup. © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Anti-coup protesters gathered at Democracy Monument to mark 2nd anniversary of the coup © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Rangsiman Rome, one of the key members of New Democracy Movement © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Anti-Coup activist made speech on the 2nd anniversary of Thailand’s latest coup © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
A woman wearing apron was among the anti-coup protesters on May 22. Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women. The women in the picture was taking shelter from rain © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Outstandingly, many of participants in anti-coup rally are middle-aged men and women © Lee Yu Kyung 2016
Another WORD is Possible 