⁍ Youth-led protests have grown into the biggest challenge in years to a political establishment dominated by military figures and the Royal Palace of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

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⁍ The king has made no direct comment on the protests, but in comments broadcast on state television, he said Thailand ‘needs people who love the country and love the monarchy’
Until now, police had not used major force to suppress peaceful protests.

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– Thai police fired water cannons at thousands of protesters Friday in the country’s first use of major force against demonstrators since a military coup last year, the AP reports. According to Reuters, protesters were told to disperse more than three hours after they gathered in Bangkok. The protests, which have drawn tens of thousands of people over the past three months, are the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government in years. They are calling for new constitutions, reforms to the monarchy, and the removal of Prayuth, who seized power in a 2014 coup. “I’m not quitting,” Prayuth told reporters after an emergency cabinet meeting, adding that emergency measures would be in force for up to 30 days. The only specific incident cited by the government for the imposition of emergency measures was one in which Queen Suthida’s motorcade was jeered, but it also said protests were damaging the economy and national security. Police said Friday that two men would be charged with attempted violence against the queen, which carries a possible death sentence if her life is thought to have been threatened. Even if not, the charge can mean life in jail. The office of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was concerned about the situation in Thailand, especially the application of serious charges, including sedition, against people peacefully exercising their rights. Thai parliamentary opposition parties condemned the emergency measures. ‘Pheu Thai Party calls on General Prayuth Chan-ocha and the state officials to lift the emergency decree and to stop intimidating the people in all manners and to release those who were arrested immediately.’