Oct 14, 2020 - World

Thailand issues emergency decree to ban gatherings amid huge protests

Rebecca Falconer

Pro-democracy protesters give the three-finger salute as they hold up their mobile phones with lights while gathering outside the Government House in an anti-government rally in Bangkok on October 14 — Protesters give a three-finger salute, a symbol of democracy calls, as they hold up their phones outside the Government House in Bangkok on Wednesday. Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

The Thai government issued an emergency decree Thursday outlawing large gatherings following massive youth-led demonstrations in Bangkok, as police arrested three protest leaders, per the BBC.

Driving the news: The protests began earlier this year over the dissolution of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit's Future Forward Party. They've evolved into calls for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, to resign, a new constitution and monarchy reforms, Reuters notes. Police said demonstrators had instigated "chaos and public unrest," but the BBC reports protests were "largely peaceful."

Add Axios on Google

Thailand issues emergency decree to ban gatherings amid huge protests

What to read next