CORONA DEMONSTRATION: Several have demonstrated against Thailand’s handling of the corona pandemic. The country has already been shut down several times, and is now in the worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic. Foto: Thanachote Thanawikran / AP
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Thousands of people protested in cars and on bicycles in Bangkok’s shopping district on Sunday against the government’s handling of the corona pandemic.
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At night, there were some clashes between police and protesters, after the protesters fired fireworks and threw projectiles to defend themselves.
The police used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons against the protesters.
Thai police use of such weapons has become more and more common in recent times after several demonstrations broke out in the wake of the country’s worst outbreak so far in the pandemic.
1 of 5Foto: Anuthep Cheysakron / AP
Overcrowded hospitals and slow vaccinations, combined with financial problems from several weeks of shutdowns, have angered Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s administration, and a key demand in the protests is the resignation of Chan-O-Cha.
For fear of spreading the word, protesters have used motorhomes and columns and organized rallies at major intersections to close Bangkok’s already congested streets.
—-FIREWORKS AS A WEAPON: Protesters fired fireworks at police in Thailand on Sunday in protest of the government’s handling of the corona pandemic. Foto: Anuthep Cheysakron / AP
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On Sunday, at least three demonstrations were organized in the Thai capital, the largest at the city’s famous shopping malls, which have been empty in recent weeks due to closures.
So far, three people have been arrested in connection with the riots, according to the police.
There have also been demonstrations in other Thai cities, including the resort town of Pattaya and Chiang Mai in the north of the country.
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