August 04, 2020, 10:51 PM
A Thai anti-government protest has taken a magical turn with more than 200 demonstrators turning up dressed as characters from the Harry Potter series on Aug. 3.
According to Reuters, the choice of theme — "Harry Potter versus he-who-cannot-be-named" — was a reference to overcoming alleged injustices under the government.
The protest also featured speakers who demanded reforms to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Reuters reported that there were calls for the monarchy's powers to be curbed, notwithstanding Thailand's strict "lese majeste" laws, under which individuals can be sentenced to 15 years in prison for defaming the monarchy.
What the protesters said
Among the speakers was 34-year-old lawyer Anon Nampa, who reportedly alleged that the palace had undermined democracy by increasing its powers and by not acting when the government supposedly acted against opposition politicians.
"Dobbie got his freedom, when will the Thai people get theirs?" #เสกคาถาไล่คนที่คุณก็รู้ว่าใคร #ถ้าการเมืองดี #thailand #เยาวชนปลดแอก pic.twitter.com/kK2HmlrIkH
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) August 3, 2020
As the anti-govt students protests continue, the activists have decided to mix it up a bit: today’s theme is “Harry Potter vs You-Know-Who
— Saksith Saiyasombut (@SaksithCNA) August 3, 2020
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.”
“Bringing Democracy to #Thailand shouldn’t be wizardry,” one organizer tells me. pic.twitter.com/ZZQQzsB9oj
Anon was quoted by Reuters as telling demonstrators that they were not trying to "topple the monarchy".
Instead, they wanted "the monarchy to exist in Thai society in the right way and legitimately under a democratic and a constitutional monarchy".
Students then read out their demands, which included reforming laws that expanded the monarchy's power. Other protesters told Insider that they were "casting the Patronus charm to protect democracy".
Protests against the Prime Minister
Tuesday's (Aug. 2) protest is part of regular demonstrations by Thais, mostly students, who are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government and the creation of a new constitution.
An earlier Reuter's report quoted protesters who opposed a law they claim all but guarantees Prayut — the former junta leader — would remain in power as a civilian premier after national elections last year.
The law also installed members of his royalist military group in key posts within the government.
Additionally, upon taking the throne in 2016, King Vajiralongkorn and the palace revised the country's constitution to bestow the king with greater emergency powers.
He has since taken personal control over some army units and palace assets worth tens of billions of dollars, reported Reuters.
Police did not stop the protests or the speakers, but indicated that any suspected offences would be investigated.
Prayut said in June earlier this year that at the king's request, prosecutions under "lese majeste" laws had been stopped, according to The Star.
Top image via iLaw's Facebook page
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