Thai PM pledges to maintain peace during planned anti-government protest

BANGKOK: Thailand's prime minister pledged on Tuesday (Sep 15) to ensure that a major protest this weekend against his government would be peaceful but said he was concerned that outsiders might try to instigate unrest.

Prayut Chan-o-cha said he had instructed police to avoid clashes when demonstrators march on the seat of government on Saturday. He urged protesters to follow the law and prevent chaos.

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Near-daily rallies since mid-July have demanded Prayut's removal and changes to a constitution that opponents say helped keep him in power after an election last year, which the former military leader insists was fair.

"The government will ensure the safety of people," Prayut told reporters, urging the public to be "eyes and ears" and prevent trouble.

READ: Thailand tells universities to stop students' calls for monarchy reform

Protest leaders expect tens of thousands of people to march on Government House, piling more pressure on Prayut's military-backed administration to dissolve parliament.

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The demonstrations, though largely peaceful, have revived memories of more than a decade of intermittent unrest and protracted street rallies that culminated in a 2014 coup led by Prayut against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

The upcoming march marks the anniversary of another coup in 2006 that ousted Yingluck's brother, Thaksin.

A dozen demonstrators have been arrested and later released over theRead More – Source