Thai MP SLASHES WRISTS during democracy debate
Thai politician slashes his wrists during debate as he slams ‘tyrant’ PM for ignoring democracy protests.
Opposition politician Wisarn Techatheerawat gave an impassioned speech in Bangkok before he suddenly rolled up his shirt sleeve and produced a six-inch long kitchen knife.
Footage from the country’s state broadcast of the debate shows the politician slam the government’s response to youth-led democracy protests before slashing his own left arm.
As he collapsed into his leather chair, several shocked MPs came to assist him with bandages to stem the bleeding.
In the video, the MP says: ‘ [I] can’t think of a solution to this problem, I don’t want the children to bleed’.
He says: ‘[I would like to] bleed to show Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha my determination.’
The outburst came as anti-establishment rallies and unprecedented attacks on the country’s king intensified this month
He asks the PM if he wants to be a ‘tyrant or a hero’ before cutting his arm, in what he claimed was a protest against the country’s military government amid calls for sweeping reforms.
The outburst came after Thailand’s biggest opposition party called the Prime Minister to resign as parliament opened a special session called by the former junta leader to discuss months of protests yesterday.
Leader of the opposition Pheu Thai party Sompong Amornvivat said: ‘The prime minister is a major obstacle and burden to the country.
‘Please resign and everything will end well.’
Prayuth called the parliament session this week after the imposition of October 15 emergency measures to end the demonstrations – including a ban on protests – only inflamed anger and brought tens of thousands onto Bangkok streets.
Anti-establishment rallies and unprecedented attacks on the country’s king intensified this month.
Thousands of activists marched to the German Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, where they called for an investigation into the Thai King’s continued presence in Germany, which has sparked controversy.
The Embassy has become the focus of the latest protest as German lawmakers have raised questions over King Rama 10, Maha Vajiralongkorn, amid claims that the monarch is conducting political affairs and ruling from foreign soil.
The Thailand anti-government protests started with small groups of student activists but have grown into a sweeping movement calling for democratic reforms, constitution changes, the resignation of the prime minister and reductions in powers of the royal family.
In Bangkok, major subway and train stations, as well as the Victory Monument and Democracy Monument, have been the focus of crowds.
Universities around the country have also seen large demonstrations.
The Prime Minister issued a ‘severe state of emergency’ in response to the Thailand protest unrest but this was rescinded. Military chiefs have also threatened curfews if the unrest continues.
Dozens of protest organisers and leaders have been arrested following the anti-government marches.
Two of the most prominent – Parit ‘Penguin’ Chiwarak and Panusaya ‘Rung’ Sithijirawattanakul – face multiple charges and have been denied bail.
The Prime Minister and other establishment figures claim the protests are being orchestrated and funded by disaffected opposition and foreign activists. They also claim that social media ‘bots’ are being used to encourage the protest.
