Civil rights groups are screaming about a new law in Thailand that prevents public assembly or protests without permission from the police given 24 hours early. Those who break the law will be arrested as the government claims the law will be strictly enforced.
“This law will be strictly enforced to prevent the type of nuisance and violence that happened in the past,” said Interim Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. “It’s not possible to have it all – happiness, equality, democracy – without giving us the tools.”
The military took control in a coup last year that eliminated the elected government.
According to the Associated Press:
The law details a variety of penalties, including up to 6 months in prison and a 10,000 baht ($300) fine for protesting without police permission and up to 10 years in prison for any disruption of public service, such as public transportation, telecommunications, water and electricity supplies.
Read more from the Associated Press.
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