BANGKOK, Nov 11 – Many schools in Bangkok are closed today as protests against the amnesty bill spread across the capital.
The Basic Education Office announced that schools in and adjacent to rally sites, including Satriwithaya, Rajavinit and Benjamabopit, will remain close for students’ safety.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has suspended classes at 11 schools under its supervision while eight schools in Dusit district have been closed since Friday.
The administration of Wat Makut Kasattriyaram School adjacent to the rally site announced that classes will end at 2.30 pm today and all after-class activities will be cancelled.
Rector Chalermchai Bunyaleepan of Srinakharinwirot University said rectors from 27 universities will meet at Chulalongkorn University this morning to find political resolutions given the widespread and escalating protests against the amnesty bill.
He said university rectors would be willing to act as mediators in ending the political dispute to avoid violence in the country.
Metropolitan police estimated that protesters at Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Avenue were as many as 17,500 on the weekend while two other rally sites at Pan Fah Bridge and Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge drew 1,400 and 1,300 protesters respectively.
Metropolitan Police spokesman Adul Narongsak called on protesters at Makkawan Rangsan Bridge to refrain from provoking police on duty behind the concrete barriers.
Bangkok protesters planned four rallies in the capital today, one each at Ratchaprasong, Asoke, Rama IX Road and Phahonyothin Road, and march together to Rajdamnoen Avenue to join the demonstration at the Democracy Monument.
