Thai protesters defy detention of leaders to hold “car mob” rally

BANGKOK, Aug 10 (Reuters) – Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters drove a convoy of cars and motorcycles through the capital of Bangkok on Tuesday, amid rising anger over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s administration.

The protesters stopped outside buildings linked to cabinet members or supporters of Prayuth to make speeches and call for resignations, accusing the government of mismanaging the pandemic and abusing its power to silence critics.

“The government lacks the ability to manage the country, and only see the interests of the elite,” Benja Apan, a student activist, said in a statement read out from the top of a truck in Bangkok’s business district.

“If the situation remains like this then we can expect the country to face an unsurvivable disaster,” she said.

Hospitals have been pushed to the brink by the latest wave of cases…