6.30pm: Riot police approach demonstrators at Pathumwan intersection #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน
6.40pm: Demonstrators shouting "Get out! Get out! Get out!" after riot police have moved closer to them. Many people are running #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน
"Dictators' slaves! Get out!": Protesters keep shouting at security officers amid pouring rain around Pathumwan intersection in Bangkok's business area. Police announce they'll use water trucks to disperse anti-govt demonstration if protesters don't retreat #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน
At about 6.50pm, riot police in front Siam Discovery shopping centre began directing water at protesters to disperse their gathering. Protesters use umbrellas to block the water, refusing to move #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน
7pm: "Please go home" - Police urge protesters to go home as they continue directing water at them. Some protesters retreat and walk back to confront security officers #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน#WhatsHappeningInThailand
"Police hurt the people!": Protesters shout at police, who seem to direct 2 types of water at them. One is clear and the other is blue and stings #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน#WhatsHappeningInThailand
A young woman kneels down and raises her hands to ask for compassion from police in front of Siam Square after police directed water at protesters to disperse their gathering #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน#WhatsHappeningInThailand
7.35pm: Protest leader announces they'll regroup at Chulalongkorn University nearby for safety as police continue to direct water at protesters around Pathumwan intersection #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน#WhatsHappeningInThailand
“At 3pm - Please be ready at BTS skytrain station near your house”
It seems protesters may use the same strategy they used yesterday - get people to every sky try station before announcing protest sites #ม็อบ18ตุลา#WhatsHappeningInThailand
JUST IN: Authorities order temporary closure from 2.30pm of 10 BTS skytrain stations, 5 MRT stations, and certain skywalks #ม็อบ18ตุลา#WhatsHappeningInThailand
Protesters regrouped at Lat Phrao intersection after briefly retreating amid reports of water canons, police. They’re now leaving the protest site. Organisers previously announced the gathering will end at 8pm today cna.asia/3dzWhED#ม็อบ17ตุลา#WhatsHappeningInThailand
Demonstration at Lat Phrao intersection is officially over. Protesters are leaving the area and traffic has begun to resume slowly. No clash reported so far cna.asia/3dzWhED#ม็อบ17ตุลา#WhatsHappeningInThailand
Today’s demonstration is leaderless as most leaders have been arrested. Yet protesters took turn giving short speeches, shout short phrases reflecting on different issues for others to repeat.
“Prayut, get out!”
“Dictators’ servants!”
“Where is #Wanchalearm?”
“Go to wherever is nearest to you”: Protesters take to the streets of Bangkok in defiance of government’s ban on public gathering and risk of crackdown by security forces. Follow this thread for latest updates #ม็อบ17ตุลา#whatshappeninginthailandcna.asia/3dzWhED
Protesters are gathering at 3 spots despite previous crackdowns by police: 1) Ha Yaek Lat Phrao 2) Udomsuk station 3) Wongwian Yai
Happening now Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, one of the protest sites in Bangkok today. More protesters are pouring into the area. Many came prepared with rain jackets after police used water canons to disperse them last night cna.asia/3dzWhED#ม็อบ17ตุลา#WhatsHappeningInThailand
Thai police spokesman Krissana: - Police dispersed youth-led protest according to international standards
- Blue-coloured water isn't harmful; stains will remain for a while and help police identify protesters
- Chemical in water can cause irritation but isn't harmful
Police spokesman Krissana expresses condolences to protesters injured during the crackdown on youth-led demonstration at Pathumwan intersection #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน
Authorities' justification for tonight's crackdown is the fact that they've warned protesters several times ahead of the gathering. Police confirm rubber bullets weren't used and no teargas was fired to disperse the protest around Pathumwan intersection #16ตุลาไปแยกปทุมวัน
BREAKING: Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn removes Noble Consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi from royal and military titles
Sineenat's actions were against the installation of Queen Suthida after she married King Maha Vajiralongkorn on 1 May 2019. Sineenat tried every way to stop the installation, wishing the king to make her his queen instead: Royal Gazette
Thai king's ex-noble consort Sineenat has violated royal prerogative and given various commands related to the king's and queen's royal duties: Royal Gazette
I had an opportunity to visit the world-famous Maya Bay on Phi Phi Islands in Thailand last week after it was closed to tourists in June for rehabilitation. And what I saw was absolutely stunning
The bay suffered great environmental damage after it was made famous in The Beach, starring @LeoDiCaprio. Before it was closed, some 5,000 tourists visited Maya Bay each day, not mentioning roughly 200 boats that would line its main beach
@LeoDiCaprio Years of mass tourism have destroyed most of the reef in Maya Bay. People stepped on the corals, breaking and killing them. Many were also damaged by rudders and sediments. There was hardly any space on the beach in high season