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Thai Parliament Opens Special Session Over Protest Tensions

Associated Press

   BANGKOK - Thailand's Parliament began a special session Monday that was
   called to address tensions as pro-democracy protests draw students and
   other demonstrators into the streets almost daily demanding the prime
   minister's resignation.

   As Speaker of the House Chuan Leekpai began the session, only 450 of
   thetotalof 731 members of both houses had signed in for the meeting.

   The demonstrations by student-led groups in the Bangkok and other
   cities have three main demands: that Prime Minister Prayuth
   Chan-ochastep down, the constitution be amended to make it more
   democratic and reforms be made to the monarchy to make it more
   accountable.

   Public criticism of the monarchy is unprecedented in a country where
   the royal institution has been considered sacrosanct, and royalists
   have denounced the protesters for raising the issue.

   "The only way to a lasting solution for all sides that is fair for
   those on the streets as well as for the many millions who choose not to
   go on the streets is to discuss and resolve these differences through
   the parliamentary process," Prayuth said last week.

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