Protest against Article 112 outside Thai Parliament as PM survives vote

Bangkok, Feb 20 (efe-epa).- Demonstrators protested outside the parliament building in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday to call for the repeal of legislation that criminalises anyone deemed to insult the country’s powerful monarchy.

Repeal of the lese majeste law, known as Article 112, is one of the core demands of the student-led protest movement that is also calling for the resignation of Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and the drafting of a new constitution.

Earlier on Saturday, Prayuth survived a vote of no-confidence in parliament, the second challenge to his leadership since he took office in July 2019.

Police have arrested several of the movement’s leaders while other anti-government protesters are also facing charges of lese-majeste and sedition for participating in the demonstrations.

Anyone found guilty of breaching Article 112 can face up to 15 years in prison. EFE-EPA

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