Protesters take part in a demonstration in Bangkok on November 14, 2021, after a Thai court ruled that speeches by protest leaders calling for royal reforms amounted to a bid to overthrow the country鈥檚 monarchy. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
BANGKOK 鈥� Hundreds of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Sunday against a decision by a top court that ruled calling for royal reforms amounted to a bid to overthrow Thailand鈥檚 ultra-powerful monarchy.
The Constitutional Court 鈥� which critics have long said is politicized 鈥� announced Wednesday that three prominent protest leaders had made speeches that 鈥渁im to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.鈥�
While the court鈥檚 decision does not result in criminal penalties for the protest leaders, observers say the ruling could shrink an already-narrow space for activists campaigning for reform of the monarchy.
Defying a ban on gatherings, hundreds of protesters massed in Bangkok鈥檚 main shopping district to rail against the decision, holding signs that said they do not want an absolute monarchy.
鈥淲e are not overthrowing this country. The reform is to make it better,鈥� shouted protest leader Thatchapong Kaedam, as demonstrators waved placards that said, 鈥渞eform does not equal overthrow.鈥�
鈥淭he Constitutional Court is seizing power from the people,鈥� he said.
Protesters flung effigies of the Constitutional Court鈥檚 judges off a bridge and later burned them, while a small group of saffron-robed monks flashed a three-fingered salute for democracy.
By sunset, they had started marching towards the German embassy in reference to the king鈥檚 frequent stays in the European country.
Police briefly clashed with some demonstrators, firing rubber bullets which hit at least one protester who was bleeding from his chest, according to an AFP reporter on the ground. The injured man was rushed into an ambulance.
The city鈥檚 Erawan Emergency Centre said at least two people were injured, though no details were given about their condition.
Earlier in the day, police had warned rallygoers聽against gathering.
鈥淲e want the public to focus on how to use their rights and freedoms but not violate laws which were ruled by the Constitutional Court,鈥� said Bangkok police spokesman Jirasant Kaewsangake.
Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since the end of absolute royal rule in 1932, but democracy has been punctuated by regular military coups, most recently in 2014.
The current protest movement kicked off in mid-2020,聽with student-led rallies calling for Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and for reforms to the monarchy.
The controversial call for royal reforms sent a lightning bolt through Thai society, which has long regarded the king as sacrosanct.
Any criticism of the royal family opens a person up to criminal prosecution under lese majeste laws.
Tens of thousands thronged the streets at the height of the demonstrations but now scores of protesters and their leaders are facing multiple criminal charges including royal defamation.