There will be no major step-up in protests yet despite the arrest and kidnapping of several pro-democracy demonstrators over the past weekend, a protest leader told Thai Enquirer on Monday.
At least seven people were arrested by authorities over the past weekend for their participation in pro-democracy protests. Several were kidnapped from their place of residence in the middle of the night by security officials.
Sporadic protests broke out in front of Victory Monument, Samyan MitrTown, and Phayathai Police Station in response.
But despite the arrests, pro-democracy protest leaders say they will not step up protests and hold major rallies at this time to help the country fight against the second wave of Covid-19.
“There will be no stepping up of protests,” Anon Numpha, a key leader of the current protests, told Thai Enquirer by phone.
Anon’s comments were echoed by Piyarat “Toto” Jongthep, the leader of the We Volunteer group of protesters.
“We are monitoring the Covid-19 situation and are complying with recommendations given by the doctors to stop the spread of the virus and we will do that to the best of our abilities,” he told Thai Enquirer.
According to Toto, the pandemic will unlikely stymy the public sentiment over the pro-democracy protests.
“Protests began in February last year and paused in July because of the pandemic but there was no letdown, the movement will not die down. The people still have their grievances.”