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Thai activist: Protesters want reform, not abolition of monarchy

Bangkok, Nov (EFE/EPA).- Thai reformists aren’t looking for the abolition of the country’s monarchy, but feel snubbed by comments the king made recently concerning them, according to an emerging figure of Thailand’s recent student-led pro-democracy protests.Patsaravalee “Mind” Tanakitvibulpon, summoned Thursday for the third time to answer sedition charges over a recent demonstration she led demanding monarchic reform, said in an interview with EFE that protesters felt slighted by the position King Vajiralongkorn took in the matter last month. (Camera: DIEGO AZUBEL). SHOT LIST: EFE INTERVIEW WITH THAI PROTEST LEADER PATSARAVALEE “MIND” TANAKITVIBULPON.SOUND BITE: PATSARAVALEE “MIND” TANAKITVIBULPON, A THAI PROTEST LEADER (IN THAI).TRANSLATION: 1. The people’s three demands are feasible, but it’s up to the government, whether they really are sincere in accepting them. (00:45-00:59).2. The first thing that Prayut can do right now is to resign, therefore we believe that if the government is really honest and sincere, (the resignation) can happen now. There’s no need to wait. Even if Prayut dismisses the calls to leave his post, and his cabinet insists that they will never resign, then we will stand firm to our ultimatum – Prayut must resign. And if Prayut still shows no sign of leaving, we vow to escalate our demonstrations. (01:15-01:43).3. The protesters now calling for democracy and reforms of the monarchy don’t see the royal institution as a problem per se. But the role of the institution, which is being portrayed by the government, causes problems in society. (01:56-02:14).4. If we think about it from the protesters’ perspective, we probably feel a little slighted because the royal institution made it very obvious about whose side they are on and which side they are ignoring. (02:22-02:40).5. We have never seen such scenes - selfies with the royals or clips of royals interacting and greeting subjects with such close proximity. Such thing, which indicates a clear segregation, has never been seen. (02:50-03:08).6. Since this is a constitutional monarchy, with the king as the head of state, the institution should stay above politics and under the law. It’s not like how it should be under Prayut’s government. (…) the monarchy should stay as the moral support that connects the people together and steer clear of (direct involvement in) politics. (03:15-03:42).7. Now that we declared “everyone is a leader,” it doesn’t matter how many leaders get arrested. If one gets arrested, 10 more, or 100 more will step up and speak. Thais have a saying: “The more flowers you pick, the more will bloom,” which is exactly how the protests are at the moment. Nowadays, democratic awareness is not led by one group of people, but the people in the society have started to realize, recognize and understand their power, and it inspires the people. It keeps the them going without depending on one particular group of people. (04:26-05:04).