A large crowd of mostly young people gathered at Kasetsart intersection in Bangkok, one of the three locations where rallies were held in the capital on Monday, before dispersing peacefully at 7.15pm.
The three sites were the area in front of the Bangkok Remand Prison where their leaders are detained; Kasetsart intersection; and the MRT’s Public Health Ministry station in Nonthaburi, according to a post on Free Youth Facebook at 3.40pm.
Shortly after, the BTS skytrain announced it would not stop at three stations — Sena Nikom, Kasetsart University and Forestry Department — from 5.30pm. It reopened at 7.30pm.
Rallies were also held in Nakhon Pathom, Buri Ram, Maha Sarakham, Songkhla, Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Mai.
They had four demands: their friends must be released; Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha must resign; constitution amendment and monarchy reform.
Also on Monday, pupils at at least two prominent schools in Bangkok — Satriwit and Debsirin — displayed a three-fingered salute after showing their respects to the national flag. A Debsirin student was reportedly hurt during the Pathumwan crackdown where a water cannon and water laced with unknown chemicals was used.
Leaderless protests have continued nationwide for the third consecutive day after a crackdown in Pathumwan, Bangkok, on Friday, even though their leaders had been arrested.
Protesters have been relying on messaging apps to arrange rallies at several sites in a few hours before they take place. This tactic proves a challenge for police, who are steps behind, and makes it hard for them to attempt another crackdown.
The police blocked popular messaging apps but protesters were quick to join a new group on locally lesser-known Telegram.
In a letter marked highly confidential leaked to media, the Digital Economy Ministry on Monday asked all internet service providers and mobile operators to block the app.
It remains to be seen how Thai operators can achieve that. In June, Moscow lifted a ban on the app after two years of unsuccessful attempts to block it.
