Injured Ratsadon protesters to get 300,000 baht compensation from police

On Thursday, the Civil Court ordered the Royal Thai Police to pay about 300,000 baht in compensation to pro-democracy Ratsadon protesters who were physically injured during the police crackdown in front of parliament on November 17^th, 2020.

While the court ruled that the protest was illegal, because the Ratsadon movement had not notified the police in advance, it also ruled that police had used excessive force by resorting to the use of water mixed with chemicals in their water cannons. This mixture caused rashes, itching, skin inflammation and breathing difficulties for some protesters and the court ordered the Royal Thai Police to pay compensation.

Former national human rights commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit was among the plaintiffs demanding compensation for the protesters.

Angkhana said that the court’s verdict constitutes a sign of progress, as it mentioned the rights and…