Duck and cover: Blow-up mascots star at Thai protests
An unusual mascot has emerged on the frontline of Thailand's protests this week; giant inflatable pool ducks were part of the armour of choice for demonstrators.
They were used as shields against water cannons employed by police.
18-year-old protester known as Wim, described the spontaneous origin of the ducks:
"The ducks are just a toy for kids, if police hadn't fire water cannon and tear gas at us, there wouldn't be duck shield that could save us" she said. "They are like a mascot for the protest now and its value for us."
On Tuesday the ducks first emerged, and on Wednesday they made a return, as protesters splashed paint and sprayed water on the police headquarters in Bangkok.
The protests are seeking to remove Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former Junta leader, as well as calling for changes to the constitution and curbs on the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Prayuth said on Thursday that all laws would be used against protesters who break them, without specifying whether this would include Article 112, which forbids insulting the monarchy.
Tuesday saw Thailand's most violent protests yet since its new youth-led protest began in July, when teargas was fired and over 50 people were injured, including some with gunshot wounds.
The police denied that they opened fire with live ammunition or rubber bullets, and said they were investigating.
Protesters say they are planning another event later this month at the Crown Property Bureau, over the management of the palace fortune, valued at tens of of billions of dollars.
The King has taken the management of the fortune into his personal control.
The Royal Palace has made no comment since the protests began.
