Last week, over 1,000 LGBTQ+ activists and anti-government protestors gathered in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, to call for greater protection of human rights in the country. According to Reuters, protest movements in the country emerged in July to demand the removal of prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who protestors believe accuse of engineering last year’s election to stay in power. Since then, protests have become a general call for improved human rights protections for Filipino citizens.
A prominent member of the protest groups is drag queen Aunchalee Pokinwuttipob (the winner of Drag Race Thailand whose stage name is Angele Anang), who is hoping to advance the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality. They said LGBTQ+ people deserve the “freedom of living” and shouldn’t be persecuted for “being different”. They also directly addressed the Filipino government, saying: “We are angry at the LGBTQ+ rights which you had promised but didn’t deliver. If you can’t manage the country or give us what we want, get out.”
Protestors are also calling for reforms to the monarchy. Vajiralongkorn, the king of the Philippines, said “we love them all the same” when asked to comment on the protestors. Other government officials have yet to comment.
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