The supporters, who identified themselves as the ‘association of Phuket people who love the King’, gathered in front of Provincial Hall at 9am.
The supporters held national flags and photos of HM King Vachiralongkorn and many images of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), along with placards written as “Phuket people will together protect the nation, religion, and monarchy”.
One of the group’s leaders read out a declaration and a request addressed to the Phuket Governor, Narong Woonciew, as follows:
“The monarchy has been together with Thai people for a long time. They have taken care and improved the lives of the Thai people so far, especially the Chakri dynasty.
“The kings have worked very hard to improve the lives of the Thai people, as we can see from their help during crisis and disasters.
“At this moment, the pro-democracy protesters have gathered to show their demand to overthrow [sic] the monarchy by their aggressive action and words. Such action has never before happened in Thailand. Their actions have hurt our heart so much that we cannot bear it.
“Additionally, the protesters also dared to drag foreign organisations to intrude our country’s affairs. Therefore, we want to demand the pro-democracy protesters to stop doing anything that is not good for the nation as soon as possible.
“And we want the central government to: 1. Work on legal proceedings to apply the law to those who are committing wrongdoing; 2. Rush to create a clear understanding with the new generation who have received misleading information; and 3. Close Thai and foreign social media pages that encroach the monarchy.”
Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai presented himself to the supporters and received their formal request, which the supporters said they wanted him to forward to members of the Cabinet at the coming mobile Cabinet meeting in Phuket on Tuesday (Nov 3).
After handing over the formal request, the group then disbanded peacefully, under the care of Phuket Provincial Police officers on watch at the scene.