BANGKOK: Thai police said on Thursday (Aug 20) they have arrested four anti-government activists over a Jul 18 protest that triggered a wave of student-led demonstrations demanding a new constitution and elections.
Three of the activists were arrested late on Wednesday and a rapper who performed at the protest was detained early on Thursday, as police step a crackdown on a countrywide movement behind the biggest rallies seen in Thailand since a 2014 military coup.
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Demonstrators are seeking the resignation of the military-backed government, an end to the harassment of its critics and a new constitution and parliamentary elections, in a rejection of polls held last year that saw coup leader Prayut Chan-ocha remain prime minister.
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Among other offences, the four activists are charged with breaching internal security laws and for defying an emergency decree that banned public gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
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The authorities have already issued arrest warrants for 15 people in connection with the Jul 18 rally, police said.
"The arrests that are taking place is based on the warrants," deputy police spokesman Krisana Pattanacharoen told reporters.
He said the arrests had been made at certain times "so there would be no chaos".
A small group of supporters of the detainees gathered overnight at a Bangkok Read More – Source
