News analysis

Thai police pushback against protesters could harden positions

A man pushes against police officers during an anti-government protest, in Bangkok, on Oct 16, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS
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BANGKOK - Thailand's youthful anti-government protesters outsmarted police early Friday evening (Oct 16) by switching their gathering point at the last minute.

In the end, the police got the last laugh, when they cleared Bangkok's Pathumwan intersection by blasting jets of water that reportedly stung and sending in officers with riot gear to push back crowds of umbrella-toting demonstrators.

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