Chiang Mai—Yesterday, a northern-based royalist group staged a protest in front of the venue of a seminar on decentralisation that was set to be headlined by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the now defunct Future Forward Party.

The seminar on decentralisation and self-determination movements was organised by a group called Neo-Lanna and was originally to be held at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Law.

The royalist group, holding signs opposing secession and defending sovereignty, gathered outside the iBis Styles Hotel in Chiang Mai but did not attend the seminar. Before they dispersed, they sang the royal anthem in praise of the monarchy.

Even though the event was approved by Faculty Dean Nuthamon Kongcharoen, the organisers decided to move the venue to the iBis hotel after the Dean urged them to do so, due to concerns from conservatives who think that the event would support secessionism and instigate social conflict.,  The Dean proposed to support the cost of the venue because she understands that the intention is to support democracy.

Thanathorn, however, withdrew from the event after he was abruptly summoned to appear in court and sent Chamnan Chanruang in his place.