The youth-led protests in Thailand is an inspiration to youth movements all over the world, as they seek to take back power from government leaders who were part of the military dictatorship and the monarchy.
The recent protests on Tuesday called for King Maha Vajiralongkorn to give up control of royal wealth, which the protesters argue comes from taxpayers’ money. The protest movement has demanded for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who led the military junta before the new government was formed, the creation of a new charter, and reforms in the monarchy.
The protesters have been met with brutality from state forces and masked assailants. More than 50 people, including children who’ve joined the protests, have been injured and hospitalized from gunshot wounds and tear gas inhalation on the November 17 protests. Renowned activists have also been summoned on November 25 for violating an archaic lese-majeste law, which could throw opposition leaders to prison for 15 years for offending the members of the monarchy.
As socialists, we support people’s movements in the struggle to fight for freedom, democracy and equality across the world. We believe that people should have democratic control over politics and the economy rather than a wealthy few. In the case of Thailand, the dissolution of the opposition party Future Forward Party, the dominant control of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over the government, and the undue protections for the monarchy from criticisms run counter to democratic principles.
The members of the International Union of Socialist Youth call on the Thailand government to cease the use of excessive force against the protesters and stop criminalizing dissent. The criminalization of criticisms against the Thai government and the monarch have no place in a modern democracy, where people should be free to express their opinions without fear of repression.
We stand with the people of Thailand in their calls for accountability from the government and for their struggle to bring back power to the public.