king rama x
took over the throne after his father's death in 2016. A cruel and passive ruler, he has continued the Thai Monarchs tradition of mind control and propaganda. With stakes in petroleum factories, shaking hands with the military-junta government, and making billion dollars deal monopolizing Thailand, Vajilalonkorn has rewritten a new chapter of impunity and corruption. The lese majeste law is responsible for many political prisoners and disappeared activists, allowing the prosecution of anyone that disrupts the carefully engineered image of the monarchy. His hedonistic lifestyle was once fiercely guarded by the ultra-royalists but the pandemic has shattered the glass ceiling protecting the monarchy. Abolition - once an impossible concept - may happen in his lifetime.
The current demonstration and protest in Thailand are powered by its young citizens. This movement is not supported by political parties. The 100,000 - 200,000 strong protesters fight for justice are hard to dismiss by adults, government officials, or the monarchy. There is a lack of mainstream support as the older generations are finding their rebelliousness a defilement in Thailand's culture. The activists and protestors have found camaraderie in fellow Asian countries also threatened by dictatorship such as Hongkong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Myanmar.
Thai school children holding up white paper sheets to signify their innocence, their pure intention for democracy, and anonymity from the government. August, 2020
Thailand's current PM Prayuth is a troll. The military-junta government are internet trolls that spread dark propaganda and fake news on social media, furthering the political and social divide in Thailand.
His burned body was later found in an oil barrel recovered from the park's reservoir. According to CCTV the park superintendent 'Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn' was last seen with Billy. All charges has been dropped against Chaiwat.
Billy Porlarjee
a Karen activist who was made to 'disappear' following a lawsuit against a national park superintendent over the May 2011 destruction and burning of houses, and eviction of over 20 Karen families living in Jai Paen Din (part of the Kangkrachaen national park where Billy's ancestors are from)
Mike 'Rayong'
along with 'Penguin' Parit and 'Roong' Panusya are the main student activists leading the current youth movement. They were arrested, beaten, tortured, and kept in jail for more than a week in October 2020.
Pai 'Dao Din' Jatupat Boonpattararaksa
a Thai student activist who was imprisoned in 2016 for sharing news about the monarchy on Facebook. After being released from prison, Pai Dao Din rejoined the youth protest movement.
Protest.