The trending call for a republic hinted at the depth of discontent running beneath the current protest movement.

As a journalist, it’s a good rule of thumb never to read too much into what is trending on Twitter at any given moment. But the social media network’s algorithms occasionally toss up something that is worth taking seriously as an indication of real-life trends.


The decision follows a recent wave of public protests that culminated in a huge demonstration in Bangkok on September 19. The protest leaders are pushing for changes to the current constitution, which was written by the military junta that took power after a 2014 coup, and reserves the senate for hand-picked nominees. None of the current protest leaders have yet called for the establishment of a republic; given its past association with communism, it would be seen as tantamount to a declaration of war on the ruling establishment.

This article was written by  Sebastian Strangio

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