Hundreds of Protesters Clash With Police Near APEC Summit in Thailand

Protesters were calling for the removal of the Thai prime minister

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha speaks during the 7th ASEAN–U.S. Summit in Bangkok on Nov. 4, 2019. (Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images)

Hundreds of anti-government protesters clashed with police in Thailand as they tried to break through a police cordon near a venue where the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was taking place.

About 350 protesters gathered on Friday and marched to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, where world leaders from the United States and 20 other APEC members were meeting, The Nation Thailand reported.

Protesters were seen holding placards demanding the removal of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former military chief who seized control of the country after ousting a civilian-led government in 2014, Bangkok Post reported.

A video posted on social media showed protesters trying to overturn a police vehicle while police officers charged toward them with shields and batons. Police reportedly used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters.

Anti-government activist Patsaravalee “Mind” Tanakitvibulpon, who was one of the demonstrators, said the police’s use of rubber bullets against unarmed protesters constituted a violation of human rights.

Tanakitvibulpon claimed that protesters did not intend to engage in violence with the police.

“Police fired rubber bullets at us despite the fact we are unarmed. We never intended to assault them. They told us they would give way, so we could submit our demand,” she told Bangkok Post.

“This is what happens under the government led by Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha. Police have no backbone and opt to use violence against people,” Tanakitvibulpon said, adding that five protesters were injured in the clashes.

According to local reports, protesters intended to deliver a letter to the APEC summit to demand the removal of their prime minister but they were blocked by security officials.

At least 10 protesters were arrested for violating a security order, and five police officers were injured in the clashes, according to Archayon Kraithong, a police official in charge of the APEC security taskforce. Several properties were damaged due to the incident.

Archayon said that protesters were warned against violating the APEC summit’s security regulations when they marched toward Dinso Road and were ordered to return to town square, but they refused to comply. He alleged that protesters also threw rocks and other objects at police officers.