Young “Bad Student” activists gathered on Saturday beneath the Siam BTS skytrain station.
The demonstrators sheltered under the skytrain platform in front of the Siam Paragon shopping centre after rain forced them to change the rally venue from the nearby Ratchaprasong intersection.
Police confirmed that organisers of the rally had informed them about their activity, which was given permission to go ahead.
As the day went on, the crowd of a few hundred grew to a few thousand, as a rally stage was set up for the evening’s entertainment and speeches.
“#Bye bye dinosaurs” was the theme of the event.
“If parliament cast in the role of ‘dinosaur’ rejects and refuses changes, students like us will be the meteorite that collides with the backwardness of senior figures in society,” a Facebook message read.
In keeping with the theme, participants dressed in dinosaur costumes were being hit by inflatable meteorites launched at them from the crowd.
But amid all the fun, there was a serious side to the rally.
“We are here to ask for the freedom that has been taken away from us as well as for reforms to education,” said high school student Mameaw, 18. “We want a real constitutional monarchy.”
Many spoke of the importance of gender equality as well.
“I have been sexually abused by teachers. School is not a safe place,” said a placard held by one student who sat in uniform with her mouth taped shut in protest.
Volunteers from Amnesty International were seen handing out colour-coded wristbands to the student protesters on Saturday so that authorities can distinguish minors from adults in case police are planning any arrests.
