Thai mega protest: This is what you need to know

The termination of the emergency order is among the demands of thousands of protesters, in addition to urging the authorities to release activists detained during the demonstration. -Reuters

BANGKOK: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ended an emergency order in Bangkok on Thursday and claimed violence over massive protests against his government and monarchical institutions was over.

An emergency order announced on October 15 to ban the gathering of more than four people for the purpose of demonstration, which should have ended on November 13, was announced to end by Prayut effective Thursday afternoon.

The termination of the order was among the demands of thousands of protesters, in addition to urging the authorities to release activists detained during the demonstration for violating the emergency order.

Here is the mega protest timeline in Thailand.

19 September 2020

Thousands of protesters, mostly students in Bangkok, Thailand, gathered at Thammasat University to urge the government to dissolve Parliament, hold general elections, establish a new constitution and call for reform of the monarchical system.

September 20

Protesters marched near Bangkok's Royal Palace and planted gold plaques with the message "Thailand belongs to the people and not to the monarchy".

They then submitted a claim in a letter to King Maha Vajiralongkorn, thus opposing the monarchical system he ruled.

October 15

The Thai government has announced an emergency order in Bangkok to curb a month-long mega protest, effective October 15, 2020 at 4 am local time.

The order banned a rally of more than four people in an effort to end street protests.

October 16

Thai police have warned protesters that they will face prosecution if they continue with demonstrations that are considered illegal.

October 17

Authorities used water cannons to disperse mega protests at several intersections in Bangkok, but failed to prevent them from gathering the next day.

October 18

Protesters continue to protest the ban on gathering in the Thai capital for four days in a row by repeating their demands including the resignation of the prime minister.

Authorities temporarily closed several Bangkok Metropolitan Transit (MRT) and Skitren Mass Transit System (BTS) Skitren service stations starting at 2.30pm to prevent protests, but failed.

October 19

Thai police have ordered an investigation into four media outlets and the Facebook page of a protest group over a report on anti-government protests in Bangkok.

October 20

Thai Criminal Court suspends Voice TV online TV station service following its coverage of anti-government protests.

Voice TV , partly owned by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his younger brother Yingluck, was among four media outlets and the Facebook page of a group of protesters, Free Youth, investigated over their coverage.

The Thai Cabinet has agreed to hold a special two-day parliamentary session to discuss the two-day anti-government movement on October 26, 2020.

October 21

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan o-cha has announced preparations to withdraw an emergency order in Bangkok if mass protests remain peaceful.

However, protesters continued their call for Prayut's resignation by marching to his office to hand over the documents.

October 22

Pro-government demonstrations involving about 20,000 protesters took place in several provinces outside Bangkok including Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Lampang, Nan, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

The emergency order was terminated Thursday afternoon.