An overnight protest took place on 23 October in front of the Bangkok Remand Prison to welcome Jatupat ‘Pai’ Boonpattararaksa, an activist from Khon Kaen, the last protester of those arrested on 13 October to be released.
Jatupat raised the 3-finger salute as he was released from the prison.
Jatupat was welcomed by hugs and greetings from friends. He immediately went on to the stage to give a speech. The protesters in front of the prison demanded that the state free the remaining protesters under detention.
As of 24 October, 8 still remain in detention: Anon Nampa, Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak, Panussaya Sitthijirawatthanakul, Panupong Jadnok, Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, Ekkachai Hongkangwan, Patipan Luecha and Suranat Paenprasoet, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR)
On the morning of 24 October, the People’s Party 2020 held a press briefing in front of the prison where they had camped out overnight. Jatupat said that they will continue to protest there to see whether Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha will resign by 22.00 today, according to the 3-day deadline set by the protesters on 21 October at Government House.
The protest on 23 October went on with speeches and music. Chaiamorn 'Ammy' Kaewwiboonpan, the lead singer of the pop band The Bottom Blues, who was arrested along with Jatupat but released earlier, was playing. Graffiti were sprayed on the prison wall and nearby streets and public facilities.
The protest, held by the Anonymous Party announced 5 demands:
1. Unconditionally free the protesters.
2. Stop all forms of state-led harassment against the people.
3. Prayuth must resign by 24 October
4. Amend the constitution in line with the proposal from the people; senators must be stripped off their power.
5. Reform the monarchy so that it is governed under the constitution.
Jutatip Sirikhan , another leading protest figure said that she was followed by 6-7 unidentified people on 3 motorcycles as she and her friend travelled to the protest. She stated that this is unethical behaviour that undermines rights and freedom.
Chinnawat Chankrachang, a protest leader who has been arrested and released, gave a speech. He believes that the authorities will free the arrested protesters out of fear that they will incite prisoners to an uprising. When he was released, the criminals in prison supported him to fight for them.
Nutchanon Pairoj, a leading figure from the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD), who has also been arrested and released, urged students, teachers and workers to join the protest, calling for democracy together.
“We fight for democracy. Why do we have to be hurt all the time? This is government in the form of dictatorship. I would like to ask Prayut Chan-o-cha ‘Who are the ones paying tax?’.”
“Today we have to change the government so we have to drive him (Prayut) out because he come in illegitimately,” said Nutchanon.
