2022 Thai Revolution
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| Date | 10 February 2022 | ||
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| See casualties of the 2022 Thai Revolution | |||
The 2022 Thai Revolution (Thai: การปฏิวัติไทย พ.ศ. 2565) was a series of events that initially arose from widespread protests and demonstrations that eventually culminated in the overthrow of the ruling Chakri dynasty and the subsequent establishment of a republican form of government, effectively replacing the Kingdom of Thailand with the present-day Republic of Thailand. Consequently, the Thai monarchy, first established in 1238 by the Phra Ruang dynasty, came to an end in 2022, roughly 784 years later under the Chakri dynasty.
The revolution was initially preceded by a series of protests and demonstrations brought on by the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that demanded the dissolution of the country's military-controlled parliament, an end to intimidation of civilians, and the drafting of a more inclusive and democratic constitution. In addition, longstanding reforms for Thailand's restrictive and draconian lése majesté laws also gained in importance, with calls to release those detained or imprisoned under said laws by the government.
In response to mass rallies which were largely centered in the capital Bangkok, the government responded by implementing a severe state of emergency, seeking to crush opposition and dissent brought on by the protests and demonstrations. Consequently, protesters frequently clashed with security forces in and around Bangkok while critics of the government were systematically arrested and detained.
In spite of harsh crackdown efforts by the government, over the course of roughly two years long, protesters persisted and, following an increase in momentum that soon led to vocal foreign involvement via statements of condemnation and threats of economic sanctions, eventually compelled the unpopular King Vajiralongkorn to abdicate in favour of his adolescent son and heir presumptive Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti. After initially ascending to the throne as Rama XI, a subsequent referendum resulted in the abolition of the monarchy in favour of a parliamentary republic with an elected president replacing the monarch as head of state. Consequently, the longstanding power and authority jointly held by the military and monarchy was effectively diminished in favour of a democratic framework that has since been in place. For their actions during the revolution, numerous government and military leaders, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Royal Thai Armed Forces' Chief of the Defence Forces General Chalermpol Srisawat, and numerous others were tried and sentenced for crimes against humanity and other offences. Meanwhile, the deposed Vajiralongkorn, along with some members of his immediate family, fled to China which granted them political asylum while the new Thai government has sentenced the former king in absentia for various crimes and offences.