Protesters mocking the Thai king wore crop tops and sprayed a democracy plaque outside the Thai parliament this afternoon (September 24).<br /><br />One demonstrator wore a white crop top similar to the bizarre style of clothing worn in public by the country's notorious king, who has a consort and harem of women.<br /><br />There was also a cardboard cut-out caricature of the monarch wearing a crop-top.<br /><br />The demonstration came on the same day that King Maha Vajiralongkorn arrived in Thailand for a brief visit from Europe to mark Prince Mahidol Day.<br /><br />Strict lese-majeste laws make criticism of the monarchy illegal, with offenders facing lengthy jail terms.<br /><br />Officers prepared water cannon trucks to quell any violence or unrest during the daring protest.<br /><br />A democracy plaque was also sprayed in gold paint outside the Parliament House following the installation of a smilier plaque at the weekend when thousands of protesters converged on the Sanum Luang royal field in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.<br /><br />The rallies marked one of the most direct confrontations against the country's monarchy ever seen.<br /><br />Dozens of protests have been held in recent months amid anger from activists.<br /><br />Opponents of the ruling military party, which seized power in a coup in 2014 and won elections in 2019, are critical of the army's strong-arm tactics to silence critics to maintain its grip on power.<br /><br />Wide-ranging complaints include a lack of transparency, low levels of democracy, economic equality and issues with the country's reputation for police and political country.
