Thousands of Thais joined a run in the capital on Sunday in what appeared to be the biggest show of dissent against the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, although he also drew a big show of support at a rival event.
Nearly 13,000 runners and supporters gathered before sunrise at a park in Bangkok, wearing athletic outfits and colorful shoes, to participate in the “Run Against Dictatorship” event.
According to reports, some of them shouted slogans such as “Prayuth, get out!”, “Long live democracy!” while running the 2.6-km (1.6-mile) course amid a sprinkling of security forces.
An excited crowd watched as organizers auctioned bibs bearing numbers significant in Thai politics, such as 2475, the Buddhist calendar year of the revolution that ended absolute monarchy in 1932.
The event was held in line with people’s rights and no laws were broken, a government spokeswoman told Reuters.
