Thousands protest against government in Thai capital

Thousands of people have protested in the Thai capital, Bangkok, against the military-backed government and called for greater political freedoms.

According to Press TV, the demonstrators gathered for a run at a park in Bangkok early in the morning on Sunday in a public display of dissent at the policies of the government of former junta leader and incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

During the “Run against Dictatorship,” the protesters appeared in athletic outfits and colorful shoes and chanted “Prayuth, get out!” and “Long live democracy!” while running a 2.6-kilometer course amid a light presence of security forces.

Tanawat Wongchai, one of the main organizers of the Sunday event, said the rally was aimed at pushing back against the political suppression that allegedly started after Prayuth’s 2014 coup and now continued under his civilian government.

“We want people to feel that to come out and demand our rights and express ourselves is something that can be done,” he said.

The rally was the second high-profile anti-government protest in a month, following a gathering in central Bangkok on December 14.

ME