Student protesters must be respectfulIn this Aug 10 file photo, pro-democracy protesters flash a three-finger salute against dictatorship during a rally at Thammasat Rangsit campus. Apichit JinakulThe sudden announcement of a 10-point demand for reform of the monarchy at a student protest at the Rangsit campus of Thammasat University on Aug 10 was, indeed, unprecedented, daring and shocking for many Thais. Even the core opposition Pheu Thai Party which is supportive of the student movement's protests to demand a new constitution, parliament's dissolution and a stop to government harassment against student activists hastily distanced itself from this new demand. The arrest of three protest leaders, namely Parit "Penquin" Chivarak, a Thammasat University student, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa and Panupong Chadnok have nothing to do with the Thammasat protest, but are related to previous protests. The Progressive Movement, led by the threesome of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and Pannika "Chor" Wanich, came out later to back the students' demand after having realised the political temperature has cooled off somewhat.

Source: Bangkok Post August 16, 2020 22:52 UTC