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Reuters SOE ZEYA TUN
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, to demand the release of some of the protest leaders, in defiance of an order issued late Friday to ban public gatherings in the city.
On Saturday, some demonstrators burned pictures of the King of Thailand at the rally. Two other protests were also led by a separate group at other locations in Bangkok.
Earlier on Saturday, police warned protesters that they could be at risk of arrest and that the police may use stricter measures in case of deviations from instructions.
In an audio broadcast this morning, the Prime Minister urged citizens to respect the law and avoid conflict.
The royal palace declined to comment directly on the protests, but Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and officials said that “criticizing the king is illegal and inappropriate.”
A youth-led protest movement emerged last year, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and the reform of the powerful monarchy. Thai courts have recently rejected requests for the release of some imprisoned protest leaders.
Source: “Reuters”
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