Protests were held in Bangkok and several up-country provinces on Sunday to demand an end to delays in the general election, which was last promised for Feb 24 but now is in limbo.
In the capital, about 150 people gathered in the evening at Ratchaprasong intersection to call on the military regime to hold the election before the coronation of His Majesty the King in May.
Hardliners in the government have recently said that election-related activities may clash with the ceremony running smoothly, leading to concerns that the election, already unlikely for Feb 24, could be delayed even beyond March.
"They have been postponing the election over and over since 2014," complained a 51-year-old female protester. "The election must be held before the coronation."
Police did not block the demonstration, but did not allow the protesters to use a public address system.
In Chiang Mai, about 20 people protested at City Hall under the watchful eyes of police, who also did not interfere.
A 62-year-old retired teacher who said his name was Boonrod, said income disparities have widened under the current government. "Only rich people get benefits from the current government's policies," he said.
Protests were also held in other provinces including Chiang Rai, Nakhon Pathom, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani.
The government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has delayed the vote six times since it first promised elections in 2015.
