Turning point for Thailand? Pro-democracy movement defies protest ban

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A turning point for Thailand? For the seventh day, pro-democracy activists in Bangkok braved a ban on demonstrating, despite a tightening of the screws on independent media. Why are young people so determined? How does the biggest mass mobilisation since a 2014 coup differ from the past?

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What has changed? For starters, Thailand has a new king and in a land where criticising the monarchy can lead to up to 15 years in jail, many protesters suffering through times of Covid are now unafraid to call out the playboy lifestyle of Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Where does it leave Thailand’s coup leader-turned-civilian prime minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha? How fast are the fault lines of Thai politics changing? Could the country actually return to democracy?

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.

Source: Thanks france24