Mass Riot in Thailand: #whatishappeninginthailand

By: Khoirunnisa Dwi Permatasari (1811102434025)

The hashtag #whatishappeninginthailand was trending number one on the Twitter in

the period of October 2020. The hashtag emerged at the same time as demonstrations carried
out by Thai civil society to fight for the rights of freedom and their lives from the tight power
of the junta or dictator government. The demonstration at that time was the largest monarchy
demonstration that had occurred in Thailand since June 2020.
The protesters or can be called as anti-government are asking for the Prime Minister, Prayuth
Chan-Ocha to step down from constitution. The base of those demand are because Thais (the anti-
government) think that if they still live in that military-backed rules, freedom will be gone. Military
power are now the key for Thailand Constitution even if Thailand use a monarchy system. (Paddock
& Emmett, 2020)
.
The Thai people have been living under the junta government since May 2014
(Thepgumpanat & Tanakasempipat, 2017). This arbitrary power is considered and felt unfair
and binds their right to life in the state, because when the state uses the system, no individual
with the power can object any published policies. Moreover, Thailand is a country that
adheres to the Lese-Majeste Law system or the law that becomes the umbrella for the "King
without criticism". As quoted from (Winichakul, 2019) talking about Article 112 of the
Criminal Code of Thailand, it is stated, “Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the
Queen, the Heir Apparent, or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three years
to fifteen years.”
At the very least, there is some great urgency that demonstrators demand; urge the
drafting of a new Constitution, urge the government to involve the people in the political
process and determine economic policies, urge for a change the amendments to the Law on
Defamation of the Monarchy. Everything contains for the desire for justice of democracy.
Until today (updated 2022 Jan), based on the research that author did, there was not any best
resolution of polices that make the issue (anti-government vs pro-government) get better or
completely stable. So, we can say, political stability in Thailand has not meet the end of
peace (re: Negative peace).
References
Paddock, R. C., & Emmett, L. (2020, Oct 24). Bangkok Is Engulfed by Protests. What’s Dricing Them?
Retrieved from The New York Time: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/24/world/asia/thailand-
protests-explainer.html
Thepgumpanat, P., & Tanakasempipat, P. (2017, Mei 21). Three Years After Coup, Junta is Deeply
Embedded in Thai Life. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-
military-idUSKCN18G0ZJ
Winichakul, T. (2019). Confessions to Lese Majesty: A Lens into the Rule of Law in Thailand.