BANGKOK – Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Thai capital on Saturday evening to demand that authorities release some protest leaders from jail, defying an order on late Friday banning public gatherings in the city.
A youth-led protest movement sprang up last year calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Thai courts have denied recent requests for bail for some of the jailed protest leaders.
“Release our friends,” shouted the protesters in unison, as they gathered in front of a criminal court, which was surrounded by barbed wire.
“Abolish 112,” they also said, referring to Thailand’s lese majeste law, which prohibits anyone from insulting or defaming the king.
A few protesters burned photographs of the king at the rally. Separate groups also led two other protests at other locations in Bangkok.(Reuters)
