BANGKOK, Oct 27 (Reuters): Describing themselves as "human beings, not dust", thousands of Thai protesters demanding reforms of the monarchy marched to the German embassy in Bangkok on Monday to put pressure on King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who spends much of his time in Germany.
Germany has said it would be unacceptable for King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 68, to conduct politics there and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the European power continued to look into his behaviour during sojourns in Bavaria.
Months of student-led protests that began by calling for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 66, a former military ruler, have become the biggest challenge in decades to a monarchy that the Thai constitution says must be revered.
The Palace has made no comment since the start of the protests. A government spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday's protest.
At the German embassy, a statement was read from "the People" accusing the king of interfering in Thai politics. It said that having failed to get "the royal puppet" to listen - a reference to Prayuth - they had come to "the puppet owner".
"The era of change has arrived. The flowing stream of democracy cannot be stopped," it said. "Down with feudalism, Long live the people."
It was signed: "Best regards from fellow human beings, not dust" - referring to a Thai expression that people are but dust under the king's feet.
Criticising the monarchy can mean 15 years in jail, but the protests have swept away the taboo on discussing it.
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