Thailand has recently seen a new spate of protests sparked by the country’s lese majeste laws. A new article in Deutsche Welle by Emmy Sasipornkarn examines the future of the pro-democracy movement in Thailand especially against the backdrop of state repression. Here’s an excerpt:

“The movement is lacking a clear direction. The government has been pressuring protesters by falsely accusing them [of defaming the monarchy]. There are barely any speeches these days. Perhaps because the leaders were arrested,” 29-year-old Pattha (name changed), a state-owned enterprise employee, told DW.

The youth-led pro-democracy movement that rocked Thailand throughout 2020 lost momentum when the country was struck by a COVID-19 outbreak at the end of the year and was further suppressed by the arrests of key protest leaders. 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, one of the movement’s principal targets, has retaliated against the mass rallies by rounding up its prominent figures. 

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