Thai protest leaders are planning the biggest gathering since the 2014 military coup, as they seek to build momentum in monthslong demonstrations for greater democracy and reform of the country’s powerful monarchy.
As many as 100,000 protesters are expected at Thammasat University campus in Bangkok on Saturday, according to the student-led group organizing the event, the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. Although the university said last week it wouldn’t allow protesters on campus, the group vowed the gathering would proceed as planned.
Over the past months, the protest movement led by mostly students, has expanded, with various groups using digital spaces to set meetings and spread their demands in a style of organizing reminiscent of the leaderless flash mobs in Hong Kong and the U.S. The demonstrators are calling for changes in the constitution that would remove the military influence in politics and for a new, more democratic election.