Thai riot police tussle with protesters on eve of APEC summit

Riot police scuffled with pro-democracy activists as they protested Thursday against the Thai prime minister on the eve of the APEC leaders’ summit being staged in Bangkok amid high security.

More than 100 people protested at a traffic intersection in the Thai capital near the summit venue. They were demonstrating over prosecutions of anti-government activists and student leaders since former army chief, Prayuth Chan-o-cha, overthrew a civilian-led government in 2014 and became prime minister. 

Chanting “Prayuth get out!” the protesters, mostly young, marched to Bangkok’s Asoke intersection, a few hundred yards away from the meeting venue. They were demanding access to deliver an open letter condemning Prayuth, the summit host.

Wielding riot shields, scores of police were arrayed to contain the protesters, and stood their ground as some protesters stomped…