BANGKOK - Several thousand people took part in Thailand's biggest protest since a 2014 coup on Saturday after authorities moved to ban a party that has rallied opposition to the government of former military ruler Prayuth Chan-ocha.
The demonstration in Bangkok, called just a day earlier by Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a 41-year-old billionaire, revived memories of the spasms of street protest that have roiled the Thai capital periodically during the past two decades of political turbulence.
But there was no sign of any attempt to block the biggest demonstration since Prayuth seized power in 2014 on promises to end such unrest.
"This is just the beginning," Thanathorn told the cheering crowd that spilled across walkways and stairways close to the MBK Centre mall, in the heart of Bangkok's shopping and business district.
Thanathorn has emerged as the most outspoken opponent of the government headed by Prayuth, 65, since an election in March that the opposition said was manipulated to favor the army.
Thailand's election panel has asked the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Future Forward party, accusing it of infringing the laws governing political parties by accepting multi-million dollar loans from Thanathorn.
Last month, the Constitutional Court disqualified Thanathorn as member of parliament for holding shares in a media company on the date his election candidacy was registered. Thanathorn disputed the ruling.
Among Saturday's crowd were some veteran "red shirt" protesters, supporters of ousted populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who had once clashed in Bangkok with the "yellow shirt" conservatives - hardline loyalists of the palace and army.
NEW GENERATION
But there were more younger anti-government protesters, many of whom said it was their first protest.
"It's time," said office worker Pantipa Tiakhome, 30. "They have done everything to hinder democracy from flourishing."
Helped by social media, Thanathorn has struck a chord with younger Thais. Meanwhile, the army has made plain its dislike of a movement it accuses of trying to rally the young against the monarchy and the armed forces.
"Today is a show of strength so that in the future others may join us. We're just here today as a test run. Prayuth, don't be afraid yet. The real thing is next month," Thanathorn told the protest.
A party spokeswoman said more than 10,000 people had joined the demonstration. Authorities did not give an estimate.
Many gave the three-finger salute of resistance to the former junta, a symbol drawn from the film The Hunger Games.
Government opponents are also planning a "Run Against Dictatorship" for Jan. 12.
Thanathorn signed an agreement on Saturday with six parties in an opposition alliance to push for changes to the constitution that was drawn up by the junta before the election.
He also won their support for the protest.
Among those parties was Pheu Thai, linked to Thaksin, who lives in self-exile since he was overthrown in 2006. His sister was ousted as prime minister by Prayuth.
Pheu Thai won the most seats in the 500-member lower house but has adopted a quieter approach to challenging the government than Future Forward, which came third in the election.
Palang Pracharat, the pro-military party formed last year by members of the junta's cabinet, came second. Prayuth told reporters on Friday it was inappropriate to organize a demonstration towards the end of the year.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
BANGKOK - Business is booming for Siri Seatea's traditional dress shop in Bangkok.
"Out of the 30 years I've been running this shop, this is the peak for us," 53-year-old Siri told Reuters as she stitched a Thai sarong for a client.
History fever is gripping Thailand and a growing number of Thais are wearing traditional dress, a phenomenon encouraged by the junta and the palace, and fuelled by a popular television soap opera.
But the trend, which began with a 'winter fair' initiated by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in February, has also been criticized by some as an attempt to glorify an era of absolute monarchy and gloss over the junta's shortcomings nearly 4 years after it took power.
"History has long been used by the elite to maintain their status in politics," said Anusorn Unno, Dean of the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology at Thammasat University.
"Right now the junta is facing new challenges from a new generation of people so they have retreated to history to say that the past is better and more suitable for Thailand."
Among the popular costumes are those worn during the reign of former King Chulalongkorn, known as Rama V, who ruled from 1868 to 1910 and is credited with saving Thailand from Western colonialism.
Television has also played a part.
"Love Destiny", a soap opera set during the 1656 to 1688 reign of King Narai the Great, has taken Thailand by storm.
Many Thais are visiting the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, where scenes from "Love Destiny" take place. They pose for "selfies" dressed in traditional garb against the backdrop of the ruins.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha met with cast members this week at Government House and hailed the series as an example of the government's longstanding policy of promoting 'Thai-ness'.
Prayuth's own cabinet has held some recent meetings in the traditional dress of a 19th century elite. He dressed in a buttoned up silk jacket, breeches and a wide sash.
A coup led by Prayuth in 2014 followed months of unrest as demonstrators supporting the urban middle class and military-backed elite demanded the resignation of then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose biggest following was among the rural poor.
That long-standing division shows little sign of having disappeared despite four years of military rule.
Although the junta has now promised elections for February 2019, signs of frustration over repeated delays to the ballot have prompted protests in recent weeks.
'COSTUME FEVER'
In Ayutthaya, 80 km (50 miles) north of Bangkok, visitor numbers have nearly tripled since "Love Destiny" began, according to officials quoted by local media.
"It was booming since the winter fair held by our king and then this soap opera fueled the Thai costume fever," said Chutima Wongchiangkwang, 55, a costume vendor.
Wearing traditional clothes can get you a discount at the cinema. The country's Major Cineplex Group announced this week a buy 1, get 1 free promotion.
Flight attendants for national carrier Thai Airways International are also dressing up in national costumes from the reign of King Rama V this month to mark the Thai New Year festival known as Songkran.
This weekend, Thais flocked to an event initiated by the king ahead of the Thai new year festival of Songkran - which for many has become a rowdy water-soaked affair.
The palace event, over 3 days, aims to revive a more sedate vision of Thailand's culture with tribute being paid to past kings, Buddhist rites and displays of folklore.
"The public is encouraged to dress in traditional Thai period costume, wear Thai clothing or polite smart casual attire," the Thai tourist authority's news website said. "Water guns and baby powder pasting are discouraged."
Back at the Siriroong Ruang shop, Maneejan Srilert, 23, an employee at the Stock Exchange of Thailand, eyed a gold and red traditional skirt to wear to an office party.
"I don't think of it as a political thing," she told Reuters. "For me it's just fashion."
source: news.abs-cbn.com
