Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn said his country needs people who “love the monarchy” as he broke his silence on anti-royal protests rocking the capital of Bangkok. His pre-recorded comments were broadcast on state television as Thai police used water cannons, riot shields and batons to disperse thousands of protesters who defied a ban on protests for a second day. The king has made no direct comment on three months of protests that have called for curbs to his powers as well as for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former military ruler. He said “the country needs people who love the country and love the monarchy”, adding: “All your experience and the things that you’ve done. You can teach the new generation of your experience. This will be greatly useful.” Around 2,000 pro-democracy demonstrators had been chanting for the release of arrested activists and hurled obscenities at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha in the city’s main shopping mall district.
