Thailand: Activists apprehended en-route to protest

By PS Waller

BANGKOK (AA) – Police have apprehended six activists en-route to commemorate the 84th anniversary of Thailand's transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy, according to local media reports Friday.

The members of the Free Kasetsart group were on their way to a protest at Bangkok's Democracy Monument -- long a focus of citizen's protests -- when they were arrested.

Khao Sod reported that the six were taken into custody at a Bangkok police station, but it is unclear whether they will face criminal charges.

Previous protesters of the junta have been forced to stand trial in a military court.

Friday's arrests highlights the junta's continued suppression of its critics.

On Thursday, activists from the New Democracy Movement opposing a junta-backed draft of the Thai constitution were detained in eastern Bangkok for distributing leaflets urging the public to vote no in the Aug. 7 draft constitution referendum.

Opponents have slammed the draft -- the first constitution to be inaugurated after the 2014 coup -- as “illiberal,” underlining that is does not attempt to involve the people in the process.

On 24 June 1932, the monarchy -- then led by King Prajadhipok -- was overthrown by a group of civil servants and military officers and Thailand became a constitutional monarchy.

Since then, the Kingdom has remained a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature and prime minister.