Car Protest Staged In Bangkok Over Gov't Handling Of COVID-19
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 02, 2021 | 12:00 AM
BANGKOK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd August, 2021) Protesters in Bangkok on Sunday took to the streets in their cars to protest the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, according to video footage by The Reporters online broadcaster.
Earlier in the day, the government extended the lockdown in 13 provinces, including Bangkok, until August 16, and another another 16 provinces to the list of "dark-red zones."
The broadcaster set up a live feed at one of the capital's main roads, Vibhavadi Rangsit, which connects the city center with northern suburbs.
The footage shows thousands of cars driving at high speed and taking up all of the road's 12 lanes as protesters drive outside the city and then turn back. After finishing their drive, protesters move toward the nearby Din Daeng District, where the prime minister's personal residence is located.
The protest would look like ordinary traffic but for the citywide lockdown, which is currently in effect, as well as the never-ending sound of cars honking, which is all the more unusual since the Thai usually honk only as a last resort.
According to the broadcaster, the police's tactical unit, which guards the driveways to the premier's house, used tear gas grenades against protesters.
More and more protesters are gathering at the Din Daeng crossing, where the police set up a roadblock. Apart from cars, there are also many motorcycles and scooters.
Meanwhile, the city's taxi drivers are also protesting the lockdown and curfew that interfere with their work. Hundreds of taxis have been parked in two rows along the perimeter of the country's finance ministry, blocking half of the nearby driveway. There are, however, no drivers in sight, only pieces of paper and cardboard with slogans glued to the side windows.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From World
-
Taiwan hit by several quakes, strongest reaching 6.1-magnitude
8 minutes ago -
'Ballistic' Bairstow stars as Punjab pull off record T20 chase
8 minutes ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 2nd update
8 minutes ago -
Junta-led Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for two weeks
1 hour ago -
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
1 hour ago -
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
1 hour ago
-
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
2 hours ago -
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
2 hours ago -
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
2 hours ago -
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
2 hours ago -
Israeli-fired unexploded bombs could take 14 years to clear: UN
2 hours ago -
US announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
1 hour ago