Four democracy activists freed from Bangkok prison

Four Thai activists released from a Bangkok prison early Tuesday morning vowed to continue with protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and for reforms of the monarchy.The activists were released after a court denied a police request to extend their detention.The four were among dozens of activists arrested after the Thai government declared a state of severe emergency in Bangkok in a bid to curb the protests.

Speaking in front of a crowd of more than a hundred supporters gathered outside Bangkok Remand Prison, activist Arnon Nampha announced plans for a big rally in front of parliament if a draft amendment of the constitution is not voted through in the next session, scheduled for mid-November.The protests began in earnest in July and originally demanded political changes - including new elections and a more democratic constitution - but parallel demands for reform of the monarchy have since taken centre stage.

The student-led protesters charge that the palace exercises undue power and influence for a constitutional monarchy, and seek to have it made more accountable under law. They deny they want to see the royal institution abolished.The demands to reform the monarchy have shattered a taboo in a way that would have seemed unthinkable just a few months ago. The royal institution has traditionally been presented as the nation’s cornerstone and above criticism.

But the institution's foundations were shaken by the death in 2016 of Vajiralongkorn’s father, King Bhumibol, after seven decades on the throne, leaving it vulnerable to criticism, despite a strict law against defaming the monarchy that can bring prison terms of up to 15 years.

(Image Credit: AP) 

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