Voice of America
21 Oct 2020, 01:05 GMT+10
Thailand will recall its Parliament from recess to discuss ongoing pro-democracy protests in the country, the cabinet announced Tuesday.
Lawmakers are expected to meet for a non-voting session October 26 to October 27, a move that embattled Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-Cha said he approved.
Protests, largely led by students, have called for Prayuth's resignation and several other changes to Thailand's constitution.
Protest leaders called for a day of rest Tuesday after six straight days of demonstrations, despite a ban on gatherings of more than four people.
The Thai government also ordered the closing Tuesday of Voice TV, a network partly owned by the family of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Voice TV is one of four media outlets under investigation by the government for their coverage of the protest movement.
FCC Thai, a press club of local and foreign journalists in Thailand, said in a statement Sunday it was "deeply concerned" about the investigation of news outlets in relation to the protests.
The protesters also have called for changes to the monarchy - a seemingly untouchable institution in Thailand, where insulting royalty can result in criminal charges.
But scuffles broke out between protesters and pro-monarchy supporters last week, and crowds Friday were dispersed with water cannons. Over the weekend and on Monday, demonstrations were largely peaceful.
The latest wave of protests began in February when the Future Forward Party (FFP), a progressive party largely supported by young Thais, was dissolved by court order.
Protests were then halted due to COVID-19 concerns, but regained energy in July, despite a ban on large gatherings.
Get a daily dose of Vietnam Tribune news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Vietnam Tribune.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump says the United States could soon reach a trade deal with India. He believes this deal would...
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Delhi Police have apprehended seven Bangladeshi nationals, including five who were posing as transgender...
(250709) -- KAMPONG CHAM, July 9, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (front) plants a tree during the celebration...
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 9 (ANI): An Amarnath Yatra pilgrim from the Philippines, who is a member of the Indian diaspora,...
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF has for the first time introduced the...
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Former Australian fast bowler Gordon Rorke passed away at the age of 87. Rorke, known for his towering...
MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...
DHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...
ZAGREB, Croatia: A massive concert by popular Croatian singer Marko Perković, known by his stage name Thompson, has drawn widespread...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Elon Musk's entry into the political arena is drawing pushback from top U.S. officials and investors, as his decision...
CULVER CITY, California: TikTok is preparing to roll out a separate version of its app for U.S. users, as efforts to secure a sale...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term shylock is regarded as antisemitic when he used it in...