Police Deploy Forces to Manage IMF Protest at Rama 4
Hundreds of protesters gathered on Bangkok’s Rama 4 Road to oppose the IMF and World Bank meetings, criticizing covert Chinese capital and pro‑tycoon policies. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Siam Boonsom deployed four riot police companies to monitor the demonstration and facilitate traffic, eventually permitting activists to hang a banner after a brief scuffle. The rally, which drew about 500 participants, continued into the morning with speeches accusing the government of favoring business interests.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, accompanied by his deputies, deployed forces to the Rama 4 intersection in Khlong Toei to maintain order and manage traffic. Later, protest leader Pochon announced they would stay overnight at the intersection without closing the road. While some demonstrators attempted to breach police lines to climb a footbridge and hang a banner, police stopped them, leading to a brief scuffle. By 9:30 a.m., police allowed protesters to hang the banner. At 10:30 a.m., speeches continued, mainly criticizing the IMF meeting and police use of force, while protesters rested opposite the police line, with four riot police companies securing Rama 4 Road and twenty traffic officers directing vehicles. At 11:30 a.m., speeches persisted, accusing the government of serving capitalist interests and highlighting the issue of illicit Chinese capital in Prachinburi Province, where factories illegally recycle and handle hazardous waste, drawing a crowd of about 500 people.
