Activist Blocked From Commemorating 1932 Revolt

Pro-democracy activist Ekachai Hongkangwan on Sunday at the Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus in Bangkok. Photo: Thai Lawyers For Human Rights / Twitter
Pro-democracy activist Ekachai Hongkangwan on Sunday at the Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus in Bangkok. Photo: Thai Lawyers For Human Rights / Twitter

BANGKOK — Pro-democracy activist Ekachai Hongkangwan said police stopped him from marking the 86th anniversary of the revolution that abolished absolute monarchy.

Ekachai said a large group of policemen surrounded him this morning when he arrived at the historic site where the 1932 revolt began and persuaded him to go elsewhere.

“They asked me if I’m interested in going to other events,” the activist said in an interview.

He eventually relented and went to Thammasat University where he observed moment of silence at a memorial to the democratic revolution.

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Ekachai added that undercover police continued trailing him even as he was speaking on the phone. “Hey, you! Stop following me already!” he could be heard shouting.

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Note: Some information was omitted from this story at the request of Khaosod management.

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