The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
Thai riot police sprayed water cannons at pro-democracy activists rallying near the parliament as lawmakers began a debate on a roadmap for amending the nation’s constitution.
Hundreds of protesters, with some donning helmets and masks, tried to breach concrete barricades and barbed wire at an intersection outside the parliament building in central Bangkok, prompting the police to fire water cannons to disperse the crowd.
The protesters in turn threw smoke bombs at the police, local media reported.
The lawmakers began discussions on the constitution amendment on Tuesday, with a vote on the pathway to any changes expected by Wednesday.
The parliament restarted a stalled process that’s aimed at meeting one of
the key demands of the protesters, who are seeking a fresh election under a new constitution.
Anti-government protests have swept Thailand since July with activists breaking long-held taboos about publicly criticising the royal family and questioning laws that stifle discussion of the monarchy.
Their demands also include the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.