Thailand Junta Military and polece Provoke demonstrators to posibal street riots

An account from an anti-coup-protester: “Today, I have to walk all the way from Siam Center to Victory Monument, as the BTS trains did not make a stop at Pyathai and Sanam Pao stations.

The military and police combined forces are well-organized. They made a formation encircling the demonstrators, both left and right on Pyathai Rd. Water cannons are in place and army officials armed with shields and firearms. Big trucks with loudspeakers and the officials constantly made announcement to provoke the demonstrators. One accusation repeatedly made from the loudspeaker trucks was that the demonstrators are hired to protest. They would announce “have you guys received your pay?” They also berated foreign journalists accusing them of wanting to destroy this nation. They accused the demonstrators for destroying the nation, as well. They kept calling us troublemakers while being jeered by the demonstrators. When the demonstrators chanted “Election!’, the officials responded by asking “Which party will you vote for? Tell me.” And they kept announcing that we are here because we get paid for.

On Pahonyothin Rd., the military and police combined forces have started to tighten their cordon, though they treated the demonstrators more politely. They told us we are all Thai people and we should not harm each other. They cracked some jokes and even told us stories. They kind asked for sympathy from us commending us for our courage to hold the banners while they had not had any food. But there were much fewer demonstrations on that side and the officials were unarmed.

In sum, the demonstrators were gathered in smaller pockets all around on the Skywalk, footpath, road. They were all agitated and angry with the military. One woman who did not agree with the demonstrators came out to shout at them and it was on the verge of a clash.

Note: Samantha Hawley @samanthahawley tweeted how the army officials berated foreign media by asking “Do you have foreigner husbands ?because you always take side of foreigners ” say police on loud speaker making crowd angry