2020 in Thailand

The year 2020 is the 239th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Thailand. It is the fifth year in the reign of King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), and is reckoned as year 2563 in the Buddhist Era. The year was most significantly marked the by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which reached Thailand in January, as well as widespread youth-led protest movements against the government and for reform of the monarchy.

← 2019 2018 2017 2020 in Thailand → 2021 2022 2023
Decades:	2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	Other events of 2020 Timeline of Thai history

Incumbents

• King: Vajiralongkorn
• Prime Minister: Prayut Chan-o-cha
• Supreme Patriarch: Ariyavongsagatanana (Amborn Ambaro)

Events

January

• January 13 - The Ministry of Public Health reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19. It marked the first exported case of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first outside China.

February

• February 8–9 – Nakhon Ratchasima shootings.
• February 21
  • The Constitutional Court of Thailand ordered the dissolution of the Future Forward Party, disqualifying its executives, including Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, from running as Members of Parliament.^[1]
  • Demonstrations since erupted in various high schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. It was the start of 2020–2021 Thai protests.

March

• March 1 - COVID-19 pandemic started when MOPH reported the first confirmed death in Thailand.^[2][3]
• March 21 - COVID-19 pandemic, 89 new cases reported on 21 March, the largest single-day rise since the virus reached the country.^[2]
• March 26 - The digital switchover is completed and the transmission of analogue television ceases. The signals are shut on the same day.

July

• July 18 - 2020–2021 Thai protests second wave started. street demonstration at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok with around 2,500 protesters. The protesters announced their three core demands:^[4] dissolution of the House, ending intimidation of the people and drafting a new constitution.^[5]

August

• August 3 – Arnon Nampa and two student groups publicly raised demands to reform the monarchy, breaking a long taboo of publicly criticising the monarchy.
• August 10 – Ten demands for monarchy reform were declared by Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul from United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration group. Totaling about 3,000 people, it employed the slogan "We don't want reforms; we want revolution."^[6] Among the events was the monarchy reform speeches by Panupong Jadnok and Arnon Nampa.^[7]
• August 18 - A large gathering which around 20,000–25,000 people joined^[8] was held at the Democracy Monument and reiterated calls for a revised constitution and reforms to the monarchy.^[9]

September

• September 19 – The protesters gathered at Thammasat University Ta Prachan, then moved to Sanam Luang in the afternoon and stayed overnight there, with attendance estimated at anywhere between 20,000 and 100,000.^[10][11][12] The rally has been described as an open challenge to King Vajiralongkorn.
• September 20 - The protesters installed a plaque symbolizing the now-missing Khana Ratsadon plaque at Sanam Luang.^[13][14] The protesters submitted their demands to the President of the Privy Council via the chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau before dispersing.^[15]

October

• October 14
  • Tens of thousands of Thais participated in anti-monarchy protests in Bangkok.^[16][17]
  • Antigovernment protesters heckled Suthida as she was driven in the royal limousine in Bangkok.^[18]
• October 15
  • Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered riot police to disperse protesters outside of the Government House of Thailand.^[18]
  • Protest leaders Arnon Nampa, Parit Chiwarak, and Panupong Jadnok were arrested, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.^[18]
• October 16
  • In an emergency cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha stated that he was not resigning.^[19]
  • 2,000 protesters, mostly teenagers, gathered at Pathum Wan Intersection, and two hours later were dispersed by the police. High-pressure water cannons with chemical-filled water and tear gas were used.^[20][21] The Commander of the Metropolitan Police reported at least 100 people were arrested.^[22] There were protests almost daily from 17 to 24 October, even though they were faced with government-ordered shutdown of the capital's rapid transit systems.^[23]
• October 19
  • Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha stated that Parliament would be recalled from its recess.^[24]
  • The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission was ordered to block Telegram due to its use by protesters.^[24]
• October 26 - Protesters marched to the German Embassy in Bangkok, petitioning the German government to investigate the King's activities in Germany, if he had exercising powers from German soil.

November

• November 8 - An estimated 7,000–10,000 protesters marched from Democracy Monument to the Grand Palace to deliver their letters to the King.^[25] The protesters insisted that their demand to reform the monarchy is already the best compromise they could offer.^[26]
• November 14 - Around 20 protesting groups ranging from high school, women rights to LGBTQ activists in an event called "Mob Fest". One event resulted in a covering of Democracy Monument with cloth, and a small clash with the police.^[27]
• November 17 - The Senate and House of Representatives began a two-day joint session to consider changes to the constitution.^[28] That day, at least 55 people were hurt when protesters near Parliament clashed with the police and yellow-shirted royalists. Police fired tear gas and water cannon at the crowd. Six people suffered gunshot wounds.^[28][29] On the second day, lawmakers rejected five of the seven proposals to amend the constitution, including the submission by Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, which was most preferred by the protesters.^[30]
• November 18 - Angered by the rejection of the people-proposed constitutional bill and the use of force the day before, thousands of protesters gathered at the Royal Thai Police's headquarters and hurled paint and sprayed graffiti in the area.^[31]
• November 25 - Over 10,000 protesters converged on the headquarters of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) in northern Bangkok, in which the King is the largest shareholder,^[32][33] to demand an investigation into the king's wealth and spending.

December

• December 2 - The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of Prayut in a conflict-of-interest case over his use of military housing. The former army chief had been living in a military residence after retiring from the army in 2014, months after he led the coup over the elected government. The ruling allowed Pruyut to remain in power. Thousands of protesters gathered at the Lat Phrao Intersection to protest the verdict.^[34][35]

Deaths

 

Chai Chidchob

 

Sarunyoo Wongkrachang

 

Kraisak Choonhavan

January

• 24 January – Chai Chidchob, politician (b. 1928).^[36]

June

• 10 June – Sarunyoo Wongkrachang, actor (b. 1960).^[37]
• 11 June – Kraisak Choonhavan, politician (b. 1947).^[38]
• 21 June – Apinan Kaewpila, footballer (b. 1985).^[39]

References

1. "FFP dissolved, executives banned for 10 years". The Bangkok Post. February 21, 2020.
2. Satrusayang, Cod (2020-03-21). "Thailand announces 89 new coronavirus cases; malls ordered closed until April 12". Thai Enquirer. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
3. "Thailand sees biggest jump in coronavirus cases". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
4. "'เยาวชนปลดแอก' เปิดแถลงการณ์ข้อเรียกร้องฉบับเต็ม" ['Free Youth' released full declaration]. Bangkok Biz News (in Thai). 18 July 2020. from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
5. "วังวนการเมืองเน่าสุด จุดไฟม็อบ#เยาวชนปลดแอกลงถนน ยืนยันไม่ "ล้มเจ้า"" [Rotting political cycle. Spark 'Free Youth' mob to streets, affirms not to "overthrow monarchy"]. Manager Online (in Thai). from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
6. "Student Protest at Thammasat the Largest Rally in Months". Khaosod English. Associated Press. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.^{[permanent dead link]}
7. "ประมวลชุมนุม #ธรรมศาสตร์จะไม่ทน 'เราไม่ต้องการปฏิรูปเราต้องการปฏิวัติ'" [Summary of demonstration Thammasat will not tolerate 'We do not want reforms; we want revolution']. prachatai.com (in Thai). Retrieved 10 August 2020.
8. "Thailand's youth demo evolves to largest protest since 2014 coup". Nikkei Asian Review. from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
9. "Thai protesters stage fresh pro-democracy rally". BBC News. 16 August 2020. from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
10. "Massive Crowd Turns Out in Bangkok for Weekend of Pro-Democracy Protests". BenarNews. from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
11. "Scenes From Thailand's Massive Protests Demanding Reform". Diplomat. from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
12. Pongsudhirak, Thitinan. "Reforms need broadening of the agenda". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
13. "Thai activists challenge monarchy by laying plaque". BBC News. 20 September 2020. from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
14. "Protesters install 'new plaque' at Sanam Luang". Bangkok Post. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
15. "Activists end rally after submitting demands". Bangkok Post. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
16. Mahtani, Shibani; Wangkiat, Paritta (October 15, 2020). . The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020.
17. Promchertchoo, Pichayada [@PichayadaCNA] (October 15, 2020). "About 100 anti-govt protesters are gathering outside Central World shopping centre in downtown Ratchaprasong district of Bangkok. There are several police officers here. Water trucks for riot control and many police vans can be seen #15ตุลาไปราชประสงค์ #whatshappeninginthailand" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
18. Beech, Hannah; Suhartono, Muktita (October 14, 2020). . The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020.
19. Patpicha, Tanakasempipat; Panu, Wongcha-um (October 16, 2020). "Thai police use water cannon on defiant protesters". Reuters. "I'm not quitting," Prayuth told reporters after an emergency cabinet meeting, adding that emergency measures would be in force for up to 30 days.
20. "Thai police resort to teargas, arrest warrants against protesters". Nikkei Asia. from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
21. "Thailand protests: Riot police fire water cannon as protesters defy rally ban". BBC News. 16 October 2020. from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
22. "พรรคก้าวไกล เจรจา ผบช.น. เข้าพื้นที่ชุมนุม พาคนเจ็บออกจากม็อบ". ประชาชาติธุรกิจ (in Thai). 16 October 2020. from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
23. "Protesters pick 3 sites as mass transit shut down". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
24. . Al Jazeera English. October 19, 2020. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020.
25. Kuhakan, Jiraporn; Tanakasempipat, Patpicha (8 November 2020). "Thai protesters march to palace to demand royal reforms". Reuters. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
26. "ม็อบยุติชุมนุมหลังจัดกิจกรรมส่งสาส์นราษฎร ย้ำ3ข้อเรียกร้องประนีประนอมที่สุดแล้ว". Post Today (in Thai). Retrieved 9 November 2020.
27. "Protest Promotes a Diversity of Causes, From Feminism to LGBT". Khaosod English. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
28. Yuda, Masayuki (18 November 2020). "Thailand parliament weighs changing constitution as protests rage". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
29. Setboonsarng, Chayut; Thepgumpanat, Panarat (17 November 2020). "At least 55 hurt in Thailand's most violent protests since new movement emerged". Reuters. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
30. Yuda, Masayuki (18 November 2020). "Thailand parliament discards most constitutional reform ideas". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
31. "Thailand protesters drench police headquarters with paint". BBC News. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
32. "Thailand protesters besiege king's asset Siam Commercial Bank". Nikkei Asia. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
33. Tanakasempipat, Patpicha; Setboonsarng, Chayut (25 November 2020). "Thai protesters call on king to give up royal fortune". Reuters. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
34. Tanakasempipat, Patpicha; Thepgumpanat, Panarat (2 December 2020). "Thai PM found not guilty in conflict of interest case". Reuters. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
35. Yuda, Masayuki (2 December 2020). "Thailand PM survives removal threat at Constitutional Court". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
36. "Veteran politician Chai Chidchob dies, aged 92". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
37. "Actor Saranyu Wongkrachang dies at 59". Bangkok Post. from the original on 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
38. "Kraisak Choonhavan dies at 72". Bangkok Post. from the original on 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
39. . www.sanook.com/sport. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020.