Thread by @prachatai_en

Prachatai is reporting from the Democracy Monument, where a protest is scheduled to take place at 14.00.

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The protest has three demands: (1) the the resignation of PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, (2) reduction of monarchy and military budget to increase Covid-19 pandemic assistance, and (3) replace the Sinovac vaccine with mRNA vaccines.

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iLaw reported that white bags, like wrapped bodies, have been piled in front of the McDonald's near the Democracy Monument. The number of the bags is reportedly equal to the number of people who died from Covid-19. (Picture by Kan Sangthong)
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Free Youth's Telegram message said that a disinfection booth is being set up at the protest site, while Covid-19 prevention equipment, including masks, gloves, raincoats, and face shields are being handed out to participants.

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The activist group Active Citizens is also monitoring the situation, and will be reporting live on #ClubhouseTH so that people who are joining in cars or those at the end of the march know the situation.

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The channel will act as coordination center in dangerous situation, and ask that if participants spot anyone using weapons, they should notify the security team wearing red and white armbands or green scarves.

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At 13.00 and 13.27, iLaw reported that police officers from the Samranrat Police Station and the Chanasongkhram Police Station announced that any activity with Covid-19 risk is prohibited under the Emergency Decree.

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13.18 @krongkaokang reported that protesters were seen spraying the street in front of the Democracy Monument. (Picture by Krongkaokang and observer team).

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13.50

Cars and motorcycles have now filled the roundabout around the Democracy Monument, ready to head to the Government House at 14.00.

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The Child in Protest group asked through #ClubhouseTH for people to take care of children in the protest. Those under 15 are wearing orange wristbands and those under 18 are wearing pink wristbands, and if they need help, they may contact volunteers in pink vests.

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14.30 at the Democracy Monument, cars and motorcycles have filled the street, while the security team in green scarves are lining up at the front of the caravan ahead of the move to the Government House.

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Meanwhile, Dr Santi Kitwattanapaiboon from the Public Health Association said on #ClubhouseTH that those who are not at the protest can also join by post a picture of themselves holding a sign saying "Import mRNA vaccines to be used as main vaccines" on social media. #ม็อบ18กรกฎา

It has been reported that crowd control police with shields are lining up on the bridge at the Wat Benchamabophit, while the road leading to the Panitchayakarn intersection has been closed.

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Meanwhile, @krongkaokang reported that there are at least 4 units of crowd control police stationed at the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge, along with 2 speaker trucks and 1 water cannon trucks.
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15.11
Protesters are now heading to the Government House. It is currently unclear which route they will be taking. Meanwhile, an announcement from the speaker truck ask the protesters to leave security issues to the security team.

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15.35

The protesters have arrived at the Ratchadamneon Nok Road, which is blocked by a unit of crowd control police and razor wire. The security team then tried to break through the barriers. The police then said that they might use water cannons as a warning.

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At 15.39, the police fired water cannon blasts at the protesters and reporters.



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15.40

iLaw reported that the police has stopped firing water cannons. An announcement said that the protesters must wear masks.

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The announcement also said that the police will increase their measures if the protesters continue to break through the barriers. An order was also heard for officers to put on their gas masks.

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A Prachatai reporter at the scene said that the first water blast was because a group of protesters was trying to burn an effigy. The security team has taken control of the situation. The police said that no chemical or dye has been used.

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“The government has to bring in good vaccines and give it to everyone for free, so the economy can move forward,” said Rattasart Plianwong, who joined the protest while carrying Hong Kong and Taiwan flags.

Read more at bit.ly/36O23zS
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15.55

It has been reported that a reporter was shot in the hips with a rubber bullet and has been taken to a hospital. The reporter was visibly wearing the press armband. The police also issued no warning about rubber bullets.

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Prachatai is live now at the march to the Government House, where crowd control police has begun using water cannons on protesters on Ratchadamneon Nok Road.

fb.watch/v/349GvKSOI/

At 15.54, iLaw reported that the first aid team confirmed that the reporter's injury was from a rubber bullet. The reporter, who works for Plus Seven, has notified the Journalists' Association.

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iLaw reported that there was an order at 16.05 to mix tear gas into the water, and that the police announced that they will continue with the operation if the protesters continue to break down the barrier. Water cannon blasts are still being fired.

At 16.10, iLaw reported that the police has announced they will be using rubber bullets. At 16.12, rubber bullets were fired at the protesters.

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16.16

A Prachatai reporter at the scene said a volunteer protest guard has been shot with a rubber bullet and has a crack at his eyebrow. He has been taken away in an ambulance.

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Another Prachatai reporter said that the protesters' speaker truck announced that they will be heading on the Nakhonsawan Rd. The reporter also felt some irritation in his eyes, likely due to chemicals in the water cannon blasts. #ม็อบ18กรกฎา #WhatsHappeningInThailand

16.30

The protesters' security team has moved out of the police line on Ratchadamneon Nok Rd, while the front of the procession has arrived at the Pitsanulok Rd.

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The protesters are now moving slowly onto Nakhon Sawan Rd. Those who are driving are also honking their horns at the crowd control police as they drive by.

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16.40

iLaw reported that protesters at the Phan Fa Intersection were burning effigies, so the police fire another water cannon blast to put out of the fire. They also fire water 2-3 more times at the protesters.



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16.46

iLaw reported at the police moved the water cannon trucks at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge and fired tear gas at the protesters. Loud bangs were also heard at least 7 times.

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Meanwhile, there is a report that 2 prison trucks, 2 water cannon trucks, 2 police vans, and a unit of crowd control police in full gear are stationed at the Panitchayakarn intersection.

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The police ordered the protesters not to throw objects at them, before firing water cannons at the protesters and reporters.

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Bank, 31, a volunteer at the Klong Teoi Community, said he would like the government to give more assistance to the people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read more at facebook.com/PrachataiEngli…

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17.00 Active Citizens reported on #CoubhouseTH that trucks parked at the Phan Fa Intersection with their cargo beds raised to block water cannon blasts have lowered their cargo beds and are heading to the Government House on Nakhon Sawan Rd. #ม็อบ18กรกฏา #WhatsHappeningInThailand

17.15

Crowd control police at the Phan Fa Bridge are moving closer to the protesters, while another water cannon truck has arrived. Meanwhile, the protesters are moving towards Nakhon Sawan Rd. Remains of burnt effigies are also seen.

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The observer team said they heard a loud bang once at the Phan Fa Bridge, and said that the police fired water to put out the flame, but they felt some irritation in their eyes.

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Meanwhile, at the Pitsanulok Rd, the police continue to fire tear gas at the protesters and reporters, who retreated to the Nang Lerng Intersection. However, the gas is still able to reach the Nang Lerng Intersection.

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17.25

Protesters at the Phan Fa Intersection are reportedly throwing objects at the police, who began to split into smaller units, possibly for arrest. At 17.30, an order was heard for officers to load their weapons.

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17.38

Police continued to fire tear gas at protesters at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge on Pitsanulok Rd. A Prachatai reporter at the scene said the tear gas can be felt as far as the Nang Lerng Intersection.

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17.47

At the Phan Fa Intersection, police are still firing water cannon blasts at protesters who got close to the police line. They ordered the protesters to leave or they will be hit with water cannon blasts before firing.

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17.55

Active Citizens said activities at the Phan Fa Bridge have ended. However, at 17.58, activities at the Nang Lerng Intersection are still ongoing.

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Meanwhile, at the Nang Lerng Intersection, there is a report that tear gas cannisters were seen falling close to the protesters around the Rachawinit School.

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At 17.54, more tear gas was fired from the police line. At least 3 fell near the Rachawinit School wall, at the road in front of the school, and behind the Krungthai Bank.

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18.02

A reporter from @thematterco has been shot with a rubber bullet and has an injury on his arm while covering the protest and wearing visible press armband.

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18.16

Protesters burned effigies at the Nang Lerng Intersection, including a figure of Gen Prayut and body bag figures. The organisers said that after they've burned the figures, the protest will be ending.

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Around 18.15, loud bangs, like firecrackers, were heard twice at the Tewakam intersection, while crowd control police moved back to the Orathai Bridge. An ambulance was also seen leaving the Nang Lerng Intersection.

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18.25

People were seen throwing objects at the police line and chasing the crowd control police.

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18.30

Free Youth announced the conclusion of the protest and said that the protesters should leave by the Yommarat Intersection while those who came in cars should leave via Lanluang Rd.

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At the same time, hay figures are being burned at the Tewakam Intersection while people were called to join the group gathering there.

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18.34

Loud bangs were heard around the Krung Kasem Rd at least 9 times. Protesters are now backing up to the Tewakam Intersection, while several protest guards are staying around where the hay figures were being burned.

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18.40

Crowd control police at the Krung Kasem Rd were moving back towards the Tewakam Intersection and were around 100 m away from the protesters.

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Meanwhile, the organisers announced that the protest has ended and asked people to leave via Yommarat Intersection.

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18.47, Tewakam Intersection

A taxi drove into a group of protest guards, causing the guards and protesters to start hitting the car, while the speaker truck continued to tell people to leave.

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18.51

Crowd control police are moving closer to the Tewakam Intersection. At least three rubber bullets were fired.

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Meanwhile, police officers at the Sommanat Temple announced that the protest has ended and people must leave. Two more shots of tear gas were then fired towards the Tewakam Intersection.

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19.14

iLaw reported that police at the Tewakam Intersection announced that the protesters have 3 minutes to leave, and threatened to arrest motorcyclists gathering at the front of the group if they don't leave.



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19.16

Police announced that they will start arresting protesters and began moving towards the Nang Lerng and Saphan Kao Intersections.

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19.20

iLaw reported that police officers with a water cannon truck moved into the Nang Lerng Intersection, while remaining protesters moved towards the Yommarat Intersection.



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Police also ordered reporters to stay behind police line because protesters are throwing objects at the police.

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Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that 12 people have been arrested following today's protest. They are likely to be taken to the Border Patrol Police Region 1 headquarter after their arrest has been recorded.

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