Thais ‘cast a spell’ for democracy in Harry Potter-theme protest

BANGKOK: Dozens of mostly young Thais wearing striped "Harry Potter" scarves rallied on Monday against the government, vowing to "cast a spell" for democracy as the nascent movement grows increasingly bold in targeting the powerful elite.

For more than two weeks, young Thais across the country have held near daily protests at universities and town halls to denounce the military-aligned government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha. Some have also waded into sensitive territory in recent weeks by holding up placards opposing Thailand’s lese majeste law, one of the world’s harshest.

It shields the monarchy and its super-rich King Maha Vajiralongkorn from criticism, making open scrutiny of the monarch virtually impossible. But younger Thais have grown bolder in lock-step with their rising discontent of Prayut -- whose hold on power is regarded as a legacy of a royalist junta regime.

As night fell on Monday, the protesters -- who rally organisers had said would "cast a spell" for democracy -- listened in rapt attention as an organiser recounted the plot of the popular J.K. Rowling novels about the adventures of a young wizard.

Prominent lawyer Anon Numpa -- wearing a striped Gryffindor scarf and black robe -- took the stage under the gaze of dozens of police officers to denounce Prayut. He accused the former army chief of using his position to "gain benefits".

The government "must stop this before the country finds itself in another... confrontation," Anon said. The kingdom’s draconian lese majeste law carries a sentence of up to 15 years per charge, making reporting of any criticism by Thailand-based media forbidden.

The subversive protest was held at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, built to mark the 1932 revolution that established a constitutional monarchy. Analysts say the kingdom risks slipping back towards absolutism under the reign of Rama X and the hardline royalist generals around him.

The pandemic has also sent Thailand’s economy into freefall, laying bare the inequalities of a society perceived to favour the elite pro-military establishment.

Young Thais on Monday harpooned the government for its mishandling of the economy, calling a protester dressed as deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan a "tax eater", referencing the "death eaters" of the Harry Potter world.

Thailand's youth were among thousands on the streets of Bangkok last week in one of the biggest anti-government protests the capital has seen in years, despite a coronavirus ban on large gatherings.

They say they will continue protesting if their three main demands are not met - for parliament to be dissolved, for the constitution to be rewritten, and for authorities to stop harassing critics.

Many have found creative ways to protest - including the use of a Japanese anime character and a "Hunger Games" salute. Thailand has a long history of political unrest and protest, but a new wave began in February this year, after a popular opposition political party was ordered to dissolve.

March 2019 saw the first elections since the military seized power in 2014. For many young people and first-time voters, it was seen as a chance for change after years of military rule. But the military had taken steps to entrench its political role, and the election saw Prayuth Chan-ocha - the military leader who led the coup - re-installed as prime minister.

The pro-democracy Future Forward Party (FFP), with its charismatic leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, garnered the third-largest share of seats and was particularly popular with young, first-time voters.