Barrier set up to contain pro-democracy rallyists

Barriers have also been put up around the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal and Government House to ensure protesters cannot besiege government buildings or royal residences.

The move came in response to an announcement by the Ratsadon pro-democracy group on social media that they would hold a political rally in front of the UN building on Thursday to force the government to revoke the draconian lese-majesty law, also known as Article 112.

The lese-majesty law of the Criminal Code states that “whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, will be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years”.

More than a dozen pro-democracy protest leaders are facing lese-majesty charges after calling for the reform of the monarchy, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s removal and a new Constitution.