VIDEO: Thai PM rejects calls to resign, faces renewed protests

Thailand's prime minister rejected calls for his resignation Friday, while his government failed to stop student-led protesters from rallying again in the capital in defiance of a strict state of emergency.

More than 1,000 protesters gathered in torrential monsoon rains to push their core demands, including that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha leave office, the constitution be amended and the nation’s monarchy undergo reform.

It was the second day they defied an order not to gather, imposed after some demonstrators heckled a royal motorcade, an unprecedented development in Thailand, where the monarchy is normally held in reverence.

As Queen Suthida’s convoy passed a group of protesters on Wednesday, video footage shows they gave the three-finger salutes of opposition to the establishment and shouted “our taxes,” a reference to complaints about palace spending. Police pushed protesters away from the queen’s car.

Bunkueanun “Francis” Paothong told Reuters he had been charged, after he was transported from Bangkok to a border patrol police base outside of the province.

A protester stands in front of police officers during anti-govt protests in Bangkok.

“I have been charged with violence against the queen,” he said, declining to comment further. He earlier posted an online video proclaiming his innocence.

A police officer said Ekachai Hongkangwan would also be charged at the same police base, but Reuters was unable to contact him after he arrived.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told Reuters that its lawyers were helping the two. They made no comment on the case.

Thailand’s government cited the incident around Queen Suthida’s convoy as a justification for imposing emergency measures on Thursday that include a ban on political gatherings of five or more people.

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Protests have been growing for three months, with protesters seeking reforms to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s monarchy as well as the departure of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader.

Section 110 of the Thai criminal code sets a sentence of 16 years to life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of violence or attempted violence against the queen, heir-apparent or regent - with a death sentence if an act is likely to endanger their life.

There was no sign of the queen being harmed during the incident. Video shows her smiling from the window of the car as it passed the protesters and she later went on to perform palace duties at a temple.

Reuters