The year 2020 is the 239th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Thailand. It is the fifth year in the reign of King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), and is reckoned as year 2563 in the Buddhist Era. The year was most significantly marked the by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which reached Thailand in January, as well as widespread youth-led protest movements against the government and for reform of the monarchy.

2020
in
Thailand

Decades:
See also:

Incumbents

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Events

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January

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February

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March

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July

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  • July 18 - 2020–2021 Thai protests second wave started. street demonstration at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok with around 2,500 protesters. The protesters announced their three core demands:[4] dissolution of the House, ending intimidation of the people and drafting a new constitution.[5]

August

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September

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October

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November

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  • November 8 - An estimated 7,000–10,000 protesters marched from Democracy Monument to the Grand Palace to deliver their letters to the King.[25] The protesters insisted that their demand to reform the monarchy is already the best compromise they could offer.[26]
  • November 14 - Around 20 protesting groups ranging from high school, women rights to LGBTQ activists in an event called "Mob Fest". One event resulted in a covering of Democracy Monument with cloth, and a small clash with the police.[27]
  • November 17 - The Senate and House of Representatives began a two-day joint session to consider changes to the constitution.[28] That day, at least 55 people were hurt when protesters near Parliament clashed with the police and yellow-shirted royalists. Police fired tear gas and water cannon at the crowd. Six people suffered gunshot wounds.[28][29] On the second day, lawmakers rejected five of the seven proposals to amend the constitution, including the submission by Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, which was most preferred by the protesters.[30]
  • November 18 - Angered by the rejection of the people-proposed constitutional bill and the use of force the day before, thousands of protesters gathered at the Royal Thai Police's headquarters and hurled paint and sprayed graffiti in the area.[31]
  • November 25 - Over 10,000 protesters converged on the headquarters of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) in northern Bangkok, in which the King is the largest shareholder,[32][33] to demand an investigation into the king's wealth and spending.

December

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  • December 2 - The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of Prayut in a conflict-of-interest case over his use of military housing. The former army chief had been living in a military residence after retiring from the army in 2014, months after he led the coup over the elected government. The ruling allowed Pruyut to remain in power. Thousands of protesters gathered at the Lat Phrao Intersection to protest the verdict.[34][35]

Deaths

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Chai Chidchob
 
Sarunyoo Wongkrachang
 
Kraisak Choonhavan

January

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June

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References

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  1. ^ "FFP dissolved, executives banned for 10 years". The Bangkok Post. February 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Satrusayang, Cod (2020-03-21). "Thailand announces 89 new coronavirus cases; malls ordered closed until April 12". Thai Enquirer. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  3. ^ "Thailand sees biggest jump in coronavirus cases". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  4. ^ "'เยาวชนปลดแอก' เปิดแถลงการณ์ข้อเรียกร้องฉบับเต็ม" ['Free Youth' released full declaration]. Bangkok Biz News (in Thai). 18 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. ^ "วังวนการเมืองเน่าสุด จุดไฟม็อบ#เยาวชนปลดแอกลงถนน ยืนยันไม่ "ล้มเจ้า"" [Rotting political cycle. Spark 'Free Youth' mob to streets, affirms not to "overthrow monarchy"]. Manager Online (in Thai). Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Student Protest at Thammasat the Largest Rally in Months". Khaosod English. Associated Press. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "ประมวลชุมนุม #ธรรมศาสตร์จะไม่ทน 'เราไม่ต้องการปฏิรูปเราต้องการปฏิวัติ'" [Summary of demonstration Thammasat will not tolerate 'We do not want reforms; we want revolution']. prachatai.com (in Thai). Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Thailand's youth demo evolves to largest protest since 2014 coup". Nikkei Asian Review. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Thai protesters stage fresh pro-democracy rally". BBC News. 16 August 2020. Archived from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Massive Crowd Turns Out in Bangkok for Weekend of Pro-Democracy Protests". BenarNews. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Scenes From Thailand's Massive Protests Demanding Reform". Diplomat. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  12. ^ Pongsudhirak, Thitinan. "Reforms need broadening of the agenda". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Thai activists challenge monarchy by laying plaque". BBC News. 20 September 2020. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Protesters install 'new plaque' at Sanam Luang". Bangkok Post. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Activists end rally after submitting demands". Bangkok Post. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  16. ^ Mahtani, Shibani; Wangkiat, Paritta (October 15, 2020). "Thousands of anti-monarchy protesters defy Thailand's new emergency decree". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020.
  17. ^ Promchertchoo, Pichayada [@PichayadaCNA] (October 15, 2020). "About 100 anti-govt protesters are gathering outside Central World shopping centre in downtown Ratchaprasong district of Bangkok. There are several police officers here. Water trucks for riot control and many police vans can be seen #15ตุลาไปราชประสงค์ #whatshappeninginthailand" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ a b c Beech, Hannah; Suhartono, Muktita (October 14, 2020). "As Motorcade Rolls By, Thai Royal Family Glimpses the People's Discontent". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020.
  19. ^ Patpicha, Tanakasempipat; Panu, Wongcha-um (October 16, 2020). "Thai police use water cannon on defiant protesters". Reuters. "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.
  20. ^ "Thai police resort to teargas, arrest warrants against protesters". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Thailand protests: Riot police fire water cannon as protesters defy rally ban". BBC News. 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  22. ^ "พรรคก้าวไกล เจรจา ผบช.น. เข้าพื้นที่ชุมนุม พาคนเจ็บออกจากม็อบ". ประชาชาติธุรกิจ (in Thai). 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Protesters pick 3 sites as mass transit shut down". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Embattled Thai PM recalls parliament as thousands protest". Al Jazeera English. October 19, 2020. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020.
  25. ^ Kuhakan, Jiraporn; Tanakasempipat, Patpicha (8 November 2020). "Thai protesters march to palace to demand royal reforms". Reuters. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  26. ^ "ม็อบยุติชุมนุมหลังจัดกิจกรรมส่งสาส์นราษฎร ย้ำ3ข้อเรียกร้องประนีประนอมที่สุดแล้ว". Post Today (in Thai). Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Protest Promotes a Diversity of Causes, From Feminism to LGBT". Khaosod English. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  28. ^ a b Yuda, Masayuki (18 November 2020). "Thailand parliament weighs changing constitution as protests rage". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  29. ^ Setboonsarng, Chayut; Thepgumpanat, Panarat (17 November 2020). "At least 55 hurt in Thailand's most violent protests since new movement emerged". Reuters. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  30. ^ Yuda, Masayuki (18 November 2020). "Thailand parliament discards most constitutional reform ideas". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Thailand protesters drench police headquarters with paint". BBC News. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  32. ^ "Thailand protesters besiege king's asset Siam Commercial Bank". Nikkei Asia. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  33. ^ Tanakasempipat, Patpicha; Setboonsarng, Chayut (25 November 2020). "Thai protesters call on king to give up royal fortune". Reuters. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  34. ^ Tanakasempipat, Patpicha; Thepgumpanat, Panarat (2 December 2020). "Thai PM found not guilty in conflict of interest case". Reuters. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  35. ^ Yuda, Masayuki (2 December 2020). "Thailand PM survives removal threat at Constitutional Court". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  36. ^ "Veteran politician Chai Chidchob dies, aged 92". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  37. ^ "Actor Saranyu Wongkrachang dies at 59". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  38. ^ "Kraisak Choonhavan dies at 72". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  39. ^ ""อภินันท์ แก้วปีลา" อดีตแข้งไทยลีกเสียชีวิตแล้วหลังประสบอุบัติเหตุรถชน". www.sanook.com/sport. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020.