Photos shared in social media show police arming themselves with rubber bullet guns, shields, helmets and gas masks. Protesters reportedly threw water bottles filled with blue paint and homemade smoke bombs at police which is believed to have triggered police to deploy the water cannon. In a press conference at the scene, an officer said water was used at first, but then officers laced the water with tear gas when the protesters continued to throw smoke bombs and paint at the officers. From a distance, red and blue smoke was seen clouding the area around the riot truck as water was sprayed at protesters. Police were heard yelling through megaphones telling the protesters to “stop throwing things at us… the police have no choice but to defend this position.” When the water appeared to run out, grey clouds of what is reportedly tear gas took over. Even police in riot gear had to retreat. People fleeing the area were heard coughing. Police are allowing Thai media to be in close proximity to the protest. While there are gates blocking the media from the protest, when there is a clash, the reporters and photographers step in. The truck’s water tank was refilled at around 3:45pm and an officer was seen pouring a liquid, possibly tear gas, into the tank. While hundreds and thousands gather at pro-democracy protests to call on government, constitutional and monarchy reform, Thai women’s rights activists attending the Bangkok rallies are raising awareness about sexual harassment and rape. The activists say they want to end the “victim blaming” culture where women are said to bring harassment and even rape upon themselves by dressing a certain way. There is a cross over with the Bad Student movement, which has also been demanding greater scrutiny on the sexual abuse of student by teachers and education officials, mostly “swept under the carpet”. At a recent protest, a group called “Women’s Freedom” and chanted “Sida Lui Faai,” a re-interpretation of the Chilean feminist group Las Tesis’s chant “Un Vialodor en Tu Camino,” meaning “A Rapist in Your Path.” The name Sida Lui Faai is taken from a chapter in Thailand’s national epic Ramakien where Sida walks through fire to prove her innocence to her husband. The activists danced on a large, rainbow flag, a symbol for LGBTQ rights, and chanted in Thai: “We were judged since we were born. We were abused by the patriarchy. This system is exploiting us. It’s violence you don’t bother to see.” Activist Chumaporn Taengkleang says that women in Thai society have been taught by Thai literature, but the female characters in the stories are not treated equally. She refers back to the story about Sida, saying that Sida did not do anything wrong and there was no reason for her to walk in the fire. Compared with today’s culture, she says “why must women take all the blame when they are victims of sexual harassment?” “This concept has been used repetitively against women… Today we are dancing to Sida Lui Faai, not to prove anyone’s innocence, but to say that all of us are living under this system, where rape still occurs in society.” SOURCE: Thai PBS Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Police in Bangkok say motorists and pedestrians should steer clear of routes around the Parliament today or risk heavy congestion and road closures. The advice comes ahead of a planned rally in the capital, as Parliament begins a to vote on draft charter amendments. Already this morning there has been a protest from Royalist groups, clad in their yellow shirts, claiming that they don’t support any changes to the current constitution. Their group was around 100 people. Jirasan Kaewsangeak from the Metropolitan Police Bureau warns that things will be even more hectic around the normally busy Samsen Road, as well as other routes in Bangkok’s Dusit district. • Samsen Road in front of Parliament Jirasan says officers will be on hand to ensure the traffic flows as smoothly as possible. For more information, road users can visit the , but you will have to be able to read Thai. from https://taxi.nearme.host/taxi-drivers-in-bangkok-can-now-charge-handling-fees-for-luggage-the-thaiger/
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