Duck Buoys Are The Secret Weapon Of Thai Demonstrators

Rallies in Thailand (Twitter / @ octaguz)

JAKARTA - Demonstrations in Bangkok, Thailand are heating up. Demonstrations demanding the abolition of the monarchy, which lasted peacefully for months, eventually resulted in clashes with the police. Uniquely, the demonstrators used duck buoys to block the police's water cannon and tear gas attack on Wednesday, November 18.

"We will fight peacefully. The use of violence against people and youth is unacceptable, ”said one of the protesters, Panusaya“ Rung ”Sithijirawattanakul, quoted by Reuters, Wednesday, November 18.

Protesters appeared to be trying to cut through barbed wire barricades and breaking concrete barriers outside the Thai parliament. as a result, the police on guard reacted. Police fired water cannons and tear gas. Therefore, the masses did not remain silent to avoid police attacks. They seemed to have provided a duck buoy.

Estos patos utilizados por los estudiantes en las manifestaciones protegerse contra los cañones de agua de la policía se perfection a convertirse en nuevos símbolos de las protestas en Tailandia #Bangkok #WhatsHappeninglnThailand # ม็อบ 18 พ ฤ ศ จิ E9Ztwitter

- Octavio Guzmán (@OctaGuz) November 18, 2020

Unfortunately, victims from the mass of the action also fell. Noted, Bangkok Erawan Medical Center revealed at least 55 people were injured, with 32 people suffering from tear gas. Meanwhile, six others received gunshot wounds.

Even so, the police denied this. They revealed that the victims with gunshot wounds were only two people. Even then, the authorities are investigating the incident. In response to this incident, the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Prawit Mongsuwan, told reporters that the government regretted that the people were injured. This is because Prawit wants the demonstration to continue peacefully.

#Thailand protest now downtown #Bangkok, 2nd day of protests despite getting fired with water cannons & tear gas on Tues. Been here for more than 2 hrs now. Without fail every protest they seem to acknowledge the national anthem in own way # ม็อบ 18 พ ฤ ศ จิ กา #whatishappeninginthailand pic.twitter.com/jePNCeU9WI

- May Wong (MayWongCNA) November 18, 2020

Previously, there were no signs that peaceful demonstrations would lead to clashes. However, as the masses continued to arrive, the action became out of control. However, the protesters looked ready for the chaos. This was seen by some of the protesters carrying duck buoys as a shield against rain from water cannons and police tear gas.