2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2020
By January 15, PHIVOLCS reported that the slightly acidic lake which filled the main crater prior to the eruption had dried up, which was after confirmed by European satellite observations. On January 28, the main crater emitted 800 meters of steam according to an 8 am bulletin by PHIVOLCS. It was described as a "below instrumental detection", while Alert Level 3 remained raised.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2020
On August 18, PHIVOLCS reported a 20-meter steam emission from the volcano's main crater and several volcanic earthquakes within its vicinity. Subsequent earthquakes have been recorded until late August. PHIVOLCS asserted that the volcanic activity was normal but advised local governments to remain prepared in case of an eruption.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2021
In February 2021, after over a year of the 2020 eruption, the Batangas provincial government ordered residents from Taal Volcano Island to be preemptively evacuated due to the volcano's increasing activity. On March 9, PHIVOLCS raised the volcano's alert level to number 2 and said that it is showing signs of an "increased unrest".


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2021
In late June, localities near the volcano have experienced volcanic smog or vog caused by the volcano's emission of sulfur dioxide, amounting to 14,326 tons on June 28. The vog was confirmed to have reached as far as the Central Luzon region.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2021
On July 1, the volcano erupted at around 3:16 p.m. local time and lasted for five minutes, and the alert level was raised from level 2 to level 3. The volcano had several smaller eruptions later that day. On July 4, PHIVOLCS reported Taal Volcano's highest sulfur dioxide emission on record.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2021
On July 7, the volcano had a short-lived phreatomagmatic eruption occurred in the Main Crater at 5:18 a.m. local time and generated a grayish plume that rose 300 meters high before drifting southeast. This was followed by a phreatomagmatic burst and weak eruption at 8:47 a.m. for seven minutes, which generated another 300-meter-high plume. Two more phreatomagmatic events were recorded by PHIVOLCS at 9:15 a.m. and 9:26 a.m., lasting for two minutes and five minutes. Another phreatomagmatic burst occurred at 11:56 a.m., which generated a 200-meter-high dark gray plume. Six short-lived phreatomagmatic eruptions were recorded in Taal on Wednesday alone, the latest being at 9:41 p.m., the report added, citing Paolo Reniva of the Taal Volcano Observatory.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2021
Also on July 8, another short-lived phreatomagmatic eruption occurred in the Main Crater at 6:47 am local time and generated a 200-meter grayish plume. This was followed by three more phreatomagmatic bursts at 6:06 p.m., 9:21 p.m. and 9:50 p.m.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2021
On July 9, another phreatomagmatic burst occurred at 2:59 a.m.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Volcanic activity, 2021
On July 23, PHIVOLCS lowered the alert level status from Alert Level 3 to Level 2.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Seismic activity
On February 13, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) have reported a total of 2,484 volcano tectonic earthquakes on the vicinity of the volcano since the eruption, 176 of which were felt. The strongest were a series of Mw4.1 magnitude earthquakes originating 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) northwest of Agoncillo, Batangas, which were recorded at least thrice: at 11:56 pm on January 12, 3:11 am on January 13, and 6:35 am later that day.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Seismic activity
As a result, an Intensity III ("weak") on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale was felt in Tagaytay and an Intensity II ("slightly felt") was felt in Malabon.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Seismic activity
Between 11:39 pm on January 13, 2020, and 5:50 am the following day, PHIVOLCS reported a total of 44 earthquakes in the towns of Calaca, Laurel, Lemery, Mataasnakahoy, San Luis, Taal and Talisay in Batangas, and Alfonso in Cavite; among the strongest were a magnitude Mw 3.6 in Taal, which was felt at an Intensity III in Tagaytay, and a magnitude Mw 3.9 originating 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of Talisay at 2:05 am, measuring an Intensity IV ("moderately strong") in Tagaytay and Intensity II in Malabon and Pasay.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Seismic activity
As a result of these constant earthquakes, numerous fissures or cracks appeared across different barangays in the Batangas towns of Agoncillo, Lemery, San Nicolas, and Talisay, the towns within the 14-kilometer radius danger zone of Taal. A fissure also transected the road connecting Agoncillo to Laurel. On January 15, PHIVOLCS reported that the water in Main Crater Lake on Volcano Island had drained; the lake measured 1.9 kilometers wide and 4 metres (13 ft) above sea level.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Seismic activity
Portions of the Pansipit River, had also drained as a result of "the ground deformation caused by an upward movement of the magma"; it was the same process that caused the series of earthquakes. PHIVOLCS have also hinted at the possible existence of underwater fissures in Taal Lake into which the water may have drained.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Seismic activity
By January 27, from 5 am until January 28, only 3 volcanic earthquakes were recorded with magnitudes 1.5 to 2.2, with no felt event. As recorded by the United States Geological Survey, 92 earthquakes were detected in the past 24 hours. Four of them are low frequency events, which are "caused by cracks resonating as magma and gases move toward the surface". PHIVOLCS also noted the low frequency events and they recorded 170 volcanic earthquakes in its 8 am bulletin.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Casualties
A total of 39 people died as a result of this eruption of Taal, although only one reported case was directly caused by the eruption on January 12, 2020. According to the Manila Bulletin, people either perished because they refused to follow the evacuation order or decided to return to their homes, or died in the evacuation centers of heart attacks caused by anxiety.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
Demand for N95 masks increased rapidly during the eruption and later, the COVID-19 pandemic (after the Philippines' first case was reported on January 30), with some stores inflating its prices to ₱200 ($3.95) a piece from the standard ₱25–40 ($0.49–0.79). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) dispatched teams to monitor and observe the movement of retail prices in the market and warned businesses against raising prices for higher profit margins.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
After DTI inspection, Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo commented that some medical establishments were selling 'fake' N95 masks, some of which are not medical-grade, and could still let in large foreign air particulates. Due to the outcome of surprise inspections and consumer complaints, DTI has imposed notices of violation to 12 of the 17 stores that were inspected in Bambang, Manila, citing that these businesses will be charged with administrative and criminal cases for violating the Consumer Act.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno threatened to revoke the permits of medical supply chains in the city involved in the price hike of face masks. Mercury Drug, a major pharmaceutical chain, pledged to replenish supply for the masks where prices would remain steady and that it would not hoard the supply. The Department of Health imposed price controls on health-related goods, including face masks, to protect consumers from profiteering and hoarding. The DOH mandates that the prices of N95 masks, in particular, should range between ₱45–105 ($0.89–2.07).


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
The Philippine Stock Exchange suspended trading following the eruption on January 13.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that the damage to crops caused by the eruption are estimated to be ₱3.06 billion ($60.1 million), covering 2,722 hectares (27.22 km2) that includes 1,967 animals. Fisheries in the Taal Lake, consisting of about 6,000 fish cages to capture a total of 15,033 metric tons of fish, suffered losses of ₱1.6 billion ($31.4 million). Kapeng barako and Coffea liberica crops, major products of Batangas and Cavite, have damages worth at least ₱360.5 million ($7.08 million) for 8,240 metric tons and 748 hectares (1,850 acres) of land.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
Pineapple plantations in the Cavite towns of Amadeo, Silang and General Trias lost 21,079 metric tons of pineapple worth ₱527.25 million ($10.4 million). Rice crops in 308 hectares (760 acres) of fields across Calabarzon were lost, amounting to ₱5.6 million ($109,985), while 5,329 metric tons of corn placed losses at ₱88.9 million ($1.7 million). The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation reassured around 1,200 farmers and fishermen in Batangas that they are insured of a three-year zero-interest survival and recovery loan worth ₱25,000 ($494.13) each, to be provided by the Mount Carmel Rural Bank.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
The DA plans to distribute materials and mechanisms for crop and livestock intervention worth ₱160 million ($3.1 million), which includes 5,000 coffea mother plants and 1,000 cocoa bean seedlings from the Bureau of Plant Industry, to 17 local government units in Batangas. The Philippine Carabao Center and National Dairy Authority delivered 1 tonne (15,000,000 gr) of corn silages and 1.5 tonnes (23,000,000 gr) of rice straws, a total of 2.5 tonnes (39,000,000 gr) of dietary fiber, to Batangas.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
A brickworks in Biñan, Laguna used the ash spewed from Taal to manufacture hollow blocks and bricks. Through a combination of ash, sand, cement and discarded plastic waste, around 5,000 bricks were manufactured a day and used to rebuild houses and other buildings that were damaged by the eruption. Biñan Mayor Arman Dimaguila formally instructed residents in the city to help gather ashes and deliver it to the local brickworks.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
The Smart and Globe telephone companies offered free calls, internet services and charging stations for those affected. Water concessionaire Manila Water, in cooperation with Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, sent a convoy of 30 water tankers to various evacuation centers in Batangas. The company is also sending an initial 2,000 five-gallon units of bottled water. Meralco, the country's leading power distributor, assembled solar-powered mobile charging stations at various evacuation centers across Cavite.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Economic
PhilPost announced on January 16 that it would suspend delivery and acceptance of mail in Batangas towns near the Taal Volcano which falls within the "danger zone".


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Health
The Department of Health advised the public to remain indoors and minimize outdoor activities. They also advised the public to refrain from purchasing and consuming freshwater fish from the Taal Lake, such as tilapia and Sardinella tawilis, as these may have been affected by the sulfur from the eruption.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Health
Agriculture Secretary William Dar clarified that fruits and vegetables filled with ash, including the Coffea liberica fruits that are homegrown in Batangas and Cavite, are safely consumable upon cleansing.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Air traffic
On January 12, 2020, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) suspended all flights to and from all terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila following the eruption due to the various hazardous effects of volcanic ash on flight safety. The MIAA recorded that at least 516 flights from and to NAIA were suspended, with about 80,000 passengers affected. On January 13, operations at NAIA resumed partially from 10 am onwards, although many flights still remained canceled or delayed.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Air traffic
A number of international flights bound for NAIA were diverted to either Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Mactan–Cebu International Airport, Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Hong Kong International Airport, or Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam. By January 14, 604 flights were canceled according to the NDRRMC. However, by January 15, 537 of those flights had resumed operations.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Air traffic
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines advised the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation to suspend flights at Clark International Airport as reports indicate that ash could reach the area. On January 13, only ten flights were reported to have been canceled, while nine flights were delayed.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Air traffic
At the Mactan–Cebu International Airport (MCIA), only 25 domestic flights (all bound for NAIA) and one international flight were canceled, all of which were on January 14. However, the MCIA had to accommodate five international flights bound for NAIA that were diverted. The GMR–Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), the operator of the MCIA, requested that all diverted flights should be accommodated on a "first-come, first-serve basis" depending on the availability of aircraft parking bays. Aside from hotel bookings, passengers of the diverted flights were given small food packs. MCIA provided passengers with free bus services for inter-airport transfers and city hotel transfers. Retail stores and food concessionaires at the airport terminals immediately restocked their supply and offered discounts for passengers, available from January 12 to 14.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Impact, Sports
Collegiate leagues, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) postponed games to be held in Metro Manila on January 13, 2020, due to ash fall. The junior basketball and junior football ties were to be held by the UAAP and volleyball games for the NCAA. The AFC Champions League match between Ceres–Negros and Shan United scheduled for January 14, 2020, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila was threatened to be postponed due to ash fall the day before but match officials decided that game should push through.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
On January 13, 2020, the provincial board of Batangas declared the province under a state of calamity following the eruption, ordering the evacuation of residents within a radius of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from the volcano. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs issued a situation report stating that an estimated number of 459,300 people are within the 14-kilometer danger zone; charity organization Save the Children estimated that 21,000 of those are children.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
According to the NDRRMC situational report for January 18, 2020, a total of 16,174 families or 70,413 individuals are taking shelter in 300 evacuation centers. These evacuation centers consist of over 140 schools across Batangas, Cavite and Laguna, according to the Department of Education (DepEd). A total of 96,061 people were affected and electricity was cut in seven municipalities and cities across Batangas and Cavite. The Talisay–Tagaytay Road in Calabarzon was temporarily closed because of the evacuation of the residents. Heavy ashfall reduced visibility to near zero in some parts of the Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also stated that there are 5,000 family food packs and sleeping kits on the way for distribution to the evacuation centers. The DSWD and the Department of Health (DOH) handed a combined total of ₱4.9 million (US$96,656) worth of assistance to the affected residents in Calabarzon. On January 15, 2020, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla declared the province under a state of calamity.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
A state of calamity was declared in the whole Calabarzon region via Proclamation No. 906 which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 21. The declaration is set to last for one year unless lifted.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año directed the governors, mayors and local chief executives of Central Luzon, the National Capital Region and Southern Tagalog to convene their disaster risk reduction and management councils and instantly activate their incident management teams, network operations centers and other disaster response teams.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
The Department of the Interior and Local Government tasked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deploy their disaster incident management task forces, reactionary standby forces and search and rescue units to the affected areas, while the Bureau of Fire Protection were tasked to assist the PNP and local government units in the mandatory evacuation of affected residents. Año also urged the public to donate basic necessities to the victims through the local government units. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy personnel have been dispatched to help the victims of the Taal volcano eruption.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
President Rodrigo Duterte, who was in Davao City during the eruption, ordered Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to suspend classes and government work in Calabarzon, Central Luzon and Metro Manila. President Duterte flew to Manila on the morning of January 13 and continued with his scheduled activities there. Duterte visited evacuees in Batangas City on January 14, 2020, and pledged to provide financial assistance worth ₱130 million ($2.6 million) to the affected residents. He approved the recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to prohibit individuals from visiting or inhabiting the Taal island, declaring it a "no man's land".


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
While addressing evacuees in Batangas City, President Duterte also pushed for the construction of additional evacuation centers to be built "simultaneously" in disaster-prone areas during his administration. Concurrently, Vice President Leni Robredo visited the municipalities of Santa Teresita and San Jose, and the city of Santo Tomas in Batangas, where she helped distribute food packs and face masks to the affected residents. Robredo stressed the lack of medicines, toilets, toiletries and sleeping mats being provided to them, other than food and water. She also requested local officials to prepare an inventory of the damage.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Following the eruption, several members of the Philippine Senate called for more action from government institutions in assisting the victims. Joel Villanueva urged the Department of Labor and Employment to issue an advisory that would guide private firms in the affected areas on deciding whether their operations should continue, considering the health and safety of its employees. Villanueva called on employers and designated safety officers to assess the safety conditions of the workplaces. Imee Marcos urged the DOH and the Barangay Health Volunteers to prioritize providing clinical audits to all evacuees for them to easily access medical health care.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Francis Pangilinan urged the Department of Agriculture to provide long-term funding assistance and initiate alternative livelihood programs for the affected farmers and farmworkers. Pangilinan also urged the establishment of refuge areas for the pets of evacuees, as well as rescued stray animals from the affected areas. Nancy Binay and Risa Hontiveros called on the DOH and DSWD to include N95 masks, the prescribed mask for cases of volcanic ash, and other protective equipment in the provision of relief goods.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Hontiveros also urged the DOH to provide mental health services, such as access to therapists, to victims who may have been traumatized by the disaster. On January 16, Cavite-based Senator Bong Revilla participated in the distribution of relief goods in several towns of his home province, which had been placed under a state of calamity. Some senators also proposed for additional measures to be implemented in the wake of the eruption. Senate President Tito Sotto proposed cloud seeding as a method to clear the fallen ash and debris.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Officials from PHIVOLCS and PAGASA, however, rejected the proposal fearing that cloud seeding may result in acid rain or lahars. Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Philippine Congress to pass an additional budget of ₱10 billion ($196.4 million) to the nation's existing calamity budget, as at least ₱35 billion ($687.9 million) is at stake from the damages caused by the eruption.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
In the Philippine House of Representatives, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (Pateros–Taguig) directed Leyte 4th district representative Lucy Torres Gomez, chairperson of the House Committee on Disaster Management, to collaborate with other relevant committees, government agencies and urban planning experts in composing a short-term and long-term comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the affected areas. Cavite 4th district representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. filed House Resolution 643, ordering the House to conduct an investigation on the lack of warning from PHIVOLCS regarding the imminent eruption.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Barzaga stated that PHIVOLCS had issued an Alert Level 1 on Taal Volcano (indicating a "slight increase in volcanic activity") since March 2019, but he claimed that it failed to properly disseminate information to the public. The resolution also probes the presence of permanent settlements in the Taal island, despite the PHIVOLCS having already declared the island a "permanent danger zone". House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (Leyte 1st district), however, defended PHIVOLCS by implying the difficulty in predicting the occurrence of volcanic eruptions. Romualdez added that the House allotted to PHIVOLCS an additional ₱221.4 million ($4.3 million) in order to reform "the country's monitoring and warning program for volcanic eruption."


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Senator Grace Poe and Albay 2nd district representative Joey Salceda pushed Congress to immediately pass the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) Bill to create the said department, an executive department responsible for disaster response and emergency management. Poe illustrated that the DDR would place the existing NDRRMC under its organizational structure and create three new bureaus (disaster resiliency, disaster preparation and response, and knowledge management and dissemination). Salceda criticized the government's current system of disaster response mobilization that requires a "time consuming and confusing" inter-agency coordination, adding that the creation of the DDR would resolve these issues by "unifying the different functions" to ensure the efficiency of disaster relief goods and personnel.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
Several provinces have contributed humanitarian aid to the affected residents. The provincial government of Pampanga has sent aid, totaling in 8,500 food packs, plus teams of medical personnel, social workers, and search and rescue personnel for deployment. In addition, city governments across Metro Manila have also contributed aid, ranging from in-kind donations, toiletries, food packs, N95 masks and others. Other local governments soon pitched help, including the provincial governments of Quirino and Bulacan, which donated food packs and medical supplies. Meanwhile, farmers and traders in the provinces of Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya donated vegetables to the Taal victims. The autonomous regional government of Bangsamoro also sent ₱2 million-worth of food and non-food items as aid.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
The fanbase of pop singer Sarah Geronimo organized a charity public event at Luneta Park in Manila on January 18 where attendees participated in a flash mob of the viral "Tala" dance challenge. The proceeds for participating in the event would be forwarded to the Philippine Red Cross for donations to the eruption victims.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
The University of the Philippines will open its own map data of the volcano from 2014 to 2017 through its UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry to the public to speed up the rehabilitation of the affected areas.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
In October 2020, the National Housing Authority (Philippines) (NHA) revealed that the Department of Budget and Management has not yet allotted a budget to the agency for the relocation of displaced residents, though to compensate the NHA has opened its inventory of 10,000 available housing units in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna to the evacuees.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
As the result of 2021 eruption, over 4,000 residents from three barangays near the volcano in the province's municipality of Laurel voluntarily left their homes that night and were subsequently sheltered, 16 kilometers away from the area. Some evacuees were brought to Nasugbu while the others in Alfonso, Cavite, where the latter will conduct a COVID-19 antigen test for the individuals in their area. Meanwhile, the NDRRMC reported that 1,282 individuals from nearby municipalities of the province flee from their towns and are in evacuation shelters on July 2, 2021.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, Local response
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have prepared over ₱1.4 million (US$28,419) worth of food packs and ₱11 million (US$223,297) in non-food items for the evacuees. The Southern Luzon Command of the AFP were also dispatched in Batangas to aid the Calabarzon Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and local government units (LGUs) in the area, while the Calabarzon police forces were on alert since July 2 due to the volcano's activity.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, International response
The Philippine government, while it said that it would accept any international aid, has stated that it will not actively seek for foreign aid believing that it still has the capability to deal with the Taal Volcano eruption.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, International response
The China Coast Guard donated 600 pieces of N95 masks, food packs, and other relief goods to evacuees in Batangas through the Philippine Coast Guard.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, International response
The United States Agency for International Development and its Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, through the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, is providing thermographic cameras and remote technical support to assist the Philippine government in monitoring Taal's volcanic activity. South Korea has also pledged US$200,000 in humanitarian aid through the Philippine Red Cross. The Singapore Red Cross on their part relayed about S$67,000-worth of humanitarian aid to support the operations of their Philippine counterpart. The Emirates Red Crescent also sent a delegation to the Philippines to assist on the relief operations.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, International response
American comedian Dave Chappelle, who visited Manila during the eruption, donated ₱1 million ($19,671) to the relief efforts for the eruption victims through the Rayomar Outreach Foundation.


2020–2021 Taal Volcano eruptions, Response, International response
The European Union, through its Acute Large Emergency Response Tool (ALERT), has donated ₱42 million (€750 thousand) in humanitarian aid which includes emergency shelter, psychosocial support services including child protection services and essential household items.


2020–2021 Thai protests
In Thailand, protests began in early 2020 with demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. They later expanded to include the unprecedented demands for reform of the Thai monarchy. The protests were initially triggered by the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP) in late February 2020 which was critical of Prayut, the changes to the Thai constitution in 2017 and the country's political landscape that it gave rise to.


2020–2021 Thai protests
This first wave of protests was held exclusively on academic campuses and was brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Protests resumed again on 18 July with a large demonstration organised under the Free Youth umbrella at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. Three demands were presented to the Government of Thailand: the dissolution of parliament, ending intimidation of the people, and the drafting of a new constitution. The July protests were triggered by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and enforcement of the lockdown Emergency Decree and spread nationwide.


2020–2021 Thai protests
On 3 August, two student groups publicly raised demands to reform the monarchy, breaking a long taboo of publicly criticising the monarchy. A week later, ten demands for monarchy reform were declared. A 19 September rally saw 20,000–100,000 protesters and has been described as an open challenge to King Vajiralongkorn. A government decision to delay voting on a constitutional amendment in late September fuelled nearly unprecedented public republican sentiment. Following mass protests on 14 October, a "severe" state of emergency was declared in Bangkok during 15–22 October, citing the alleged blocking of a royal motorcade. Emergency powers were extended to the authorities on top of those already given by the Emergency Decree since March. Protests continued despite the ban, prompting a crackdown by police on 16 October using water cannons.


2020–2021 Thai protests
In November, the Parliament voted to pass two constitutional amendment bills, but their content effectively shut down the protesters' demands of abolishing the Senate and reformation of the monarchy. Clashes between the protesters and the police and royalists became more prevalent, and resulted in many injuries.


2020–2021 Thai protests
The protesters were mostly students and young people without an overall leader. Apart from the aforementioned political demands, some rallies were held by LGBT groups who called for gender equality, as well as student groups who campaigned for reforming the country's education system.


2020–2021 Thai protests
Government responses included filing criminal charges using the Emergency Decree; arbitrary detention and police intimidation; delaying tactics; the deployment of military information warfare units; media censorship; the mobilisation of pro-government and royalist groups who have accused the protesters of receiving support from foreign governments or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as part of a global conspiracy against Thailand; and the deployment of thousands of police at protests. The government ordered university chancellors to prevent students from demanding reforms to the monarchy and to identify student protest leaders. Protests since October, when the King had returned to the country from Germany, resulted in the deployment of the military, riot police, and mass arrests.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background
Prawit Wongsuwan (PPRP)Wissanu Krea-ngamAnutin Charnvirakul (BJT)Jurin Laksanawisit (D)Don PramudwinaiSupattanapong Punmeechaow


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background
Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam)


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Direct causes
Over the previous 90 years in Thailand, elected governments have frequently been overthrown by military coups. Thirteen successful coups have occurred since the end of absolute rule in the Siamese revolution of 1932. As head of the Royal Thai Army, Prayut Chan-o-cha instigated the most recent coup in 2014 and led the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the military junta which came to power following the coup. Prayut was eventually appointed Prime Minister, and the NCPO ruled the country for five years, during which political and civil rights were restricted, and economic inequality widened.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Direct causes
A disputed referendum, widely called unfree and unfair, was held in 2016 to approve a new military-drafted constitution. Analysts have described the new constitution as favouring the military and disadvantaging large political parties. It includes a junta-appointed Senate, empowered to vote for the Prime Minister for five years, allowing the military to select two prime ministers in the future, and binds future governments to a 20-year national strategy 'road map' laid down the NCPO, effectively locking the country into the period of military-guided democracy with a much reduced role for politicians at both national and local levels.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Direct causes
Prayut's supporters make up a majority of parliament. The 2019 Thai general election, which was considered "partly free and not fair" and as electoral authoritarianism, and has been described as a 'political ritual', nominally brought an end to the NCPO, but the political system continued in the form of a Myanmar-style civil-military party, Palang Pracharat Party, which essentially continues the NCPO's policies and orders as a form of competitive authoritarianism.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Direct causes
The coalition government is composed of pro-Prayut camps and smaller parties who benefited from multiple technical interpretations of the election law by a military-controlled Election Commission, including a 44-day hiatus while the election laws were reinterpreted to pave way for a coalition with the state military party at the helm. Via NCPO mechanisms, Prayut has appointed allies to the Senate, Constitutional Court, various Constitutional organizations, including the Election Commission, and the National Anti- Corruption Commission as well as officials at the local government level. Substantively amending the Constitution is almost impossible as it would require both Senate support and a referendum. Numerous generals, as well as people with historical links to organized crime (e.g., Thammanat Prompao), hold key ministerial positions in Second Prayut Cabinet.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Direct causes
During the 2019 general election, the FFP was received well by progressives and youths, who viewed it as an alternative to traditional political parties and as against the NCPO, revealing a socio-political cleavage along generational lines, i.e., between Thai youth and the ruling Thai gerontocracy. The party won the third-largest share of parliamentary seats. After eleven months of the coalition, an opposition FFP became short-lived when it was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, as the House of Representatives about to debate on motion of no confidence. Former FFP members stressed the regime's corruption and were active in exposing the junta's involvement in the 1MDB scandal.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
Further sources of grievance, many of which the FFP championed, include abortion rights; authoritarianism in Thai schools (including hazing); education reform; labour rights (trade unionism); military reform (e.g., ending conscription and reducing the defense budget, including the purchase of submarines), monopolies (e.g., alcohol), and women's rights.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
Criticism of the monarchy was quite rare during the 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which ended in 2016. After the period of decreased status of the monarchy during Khana Ratsadon era, he restored influence and respect to the throne, which helped define the modern Thai political landscape. Since assuming the throne, King Vajiralongkorn has intervened publicly in Thai political affairs. The King voiced his opinion on the Constitution in 2017, leading to an amendment on the power of the monarchy in the version that had already been accepted in the 2016 constitutional referendum.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
He became one of the world's richest monarchs in 2018, when he was granted personal ownership of royal assets from the Crown Property Bureau (CPB), valued at approximately US$40 billion, which was formerly legally considered publicly owned. He has also consolidated the Privy Council, Office of the Royal Household and Royal Security Office into a single personal office; in 2020, the government, seemingly acting in his name, transferred two army units to his personal command, giving military control to the monarchy which was unprecedented in modern Thailand. The Royal Office's budget for 2020 was US$290 million, more than double its budget from 2018.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
On the eve of the 2019 election, Vajiralongkorn issued a royal announcement urging people to vote for "good people" (Thai: คนดี; RTGS: khon di; i.e., the junta parties), which was re-broadcast the following morning, in an "unprecedented intervention by the palace". : 97 This sparked a massive, immediate, negative reaction on Twitter by Thai youth, using the hashtag "We are grown-ups and can choose for ourselves" (Thai: โตแล้วเลือกเองได้; RTGS: to laeo lueak eng dai).


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
Following the election, on 19 July 2019, when the new cabinet was sworn in, they pledged their allegiance to the monarchy, but left out an oath to the constitution, and despite protests, did not correct what was widely seen as a serious breach of the traditional oath of office and a tacit admission of the increasingly absolutist nature of the Thai monarchy. Subsequently, in a ceremony on 27 August, each minister was presented with a framed message of support from the King. He has also been accused of rewriting history as monuments associated with Khana Ratsadon and the revolution of 1932 were demolished.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
Vajiralongkorn resides most of the time in the state of Bavaria, Germany. At his request, the Thai constitution was amended to remove the requirement that a regent needed to be appointed. According to the German foreign ministry, the Thai ambassador has been told multiple times that Germany opposes "having guests in our country who run their state affairs from here."


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
The implementation of the Thai lèse majesté law has been controversial since Bhumibol's reign. The number of cases peaked to an unprecedented scale after 2014 coup. Critics viewed it as a political weapon to suppress dissent and restrict freedom of speech.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Underlying causes
Even though there have been no new cases since 2018, as Prayut said was the wish of King Vajiralongkorn, other security laws had been invoked in its place, such as the sedition law, the Computer Crime Act, or the offense of being a member of an organized crime group (อั้งยี่), all of which incur comparably severe punishment, and has been using this law as a political manipulation tool. In June 2020, the forced disappearance of Wanchalearm Satsaksit, assumed to be related to accusations of lèse majesté, gained online attention and sympathy. In July 2020, Tiwagorn Withiton, who wore a shirt with the slogan "I lost faith in the monarchy", was subjected to political psychiatry.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Concurrent developments
The government invoked the Emergency Decree on 26 March and issued a COVID-19 related curfew on 3 April in order to limit the spread of the virus. The government additionally issued a travel ban for all foreigners entering Thailand. International rights groups have criticized the emergency decree being employed to suppress free speech. Even though the country has a relatively successful response, as of July 2020, contributed by its robust public health infrastructure, the state of emergency and the severe economic restriction has not been cancelled.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Concurrent developments
The country's significant tourism industry has been heavily affected, leaving Thailand with its worst economic downturn since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The International Monetary Fund has predicted Thailand's GDP to shrink by 6.7 percent in 2020. The government borrowed and announced a 1.9 trillion-baht (US$60 billion) stimulus package, though few people have actually received it.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Concurrent developments
Shortly before the second wave protests, on 15 July, netizens were infuriated by privileged treatment to "VIP guests" who were later revealed to be positive for the coronavirus, as well as its failure to boost the heavily effected tourism industry. On the same day, Prayut Chan-o-cha made a visit to Rayong Province. Two protesters held signs calling for his resignation prior to the arrival; both were immediately arrested and reportedly beaten by the police, infuriating many Twitter users.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Background, Concurrent developments
Other related developments include the suicide of a senior judge over his frustration due to pressure on his verdicts in favour of military officers, surgical mask profiteering by Thammanat Prompao, delayed COVID-19 welfare money transfers, the government's approval of the Civil Partnership bill (which does not recognize equal status of same-sex couples), and the case against Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya.


2020–2021 Thai protests, First wave (February 2020)
The first wave protests were triggered by the Constitution Court decision to disband the FFP on 23 February 2020. Demonstrations since erupted in various high schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. These student-organised protests also came with various hashtags unique to their institutions. The firsts began at Thammasat University, Chulalongkorn University, Ramkhamhaeng University, Kasetsart University, Srinakharinwirot University and Prince of Songkhla University on 24 February. Various high school students also organised protests at Triam Udom Suksa School and Suksanari School.


2020–2021 Thai protests, First wave (February 2020)
The protests, however, were limited to individual institutions. A Thai historian scholar noted that street protests have never created political changes if the military sided with the government. The protests, which were organized exclusively on the academia grounds, were halted in late February due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with all universities, colleges, and schools shut down.


2020–2021 Thai protests, First wave (February 2020), Hashtags
The use of online media, such as TikTok and Twitter, including various hashtags, has characterized the protests. Hashtags have emerged for protests at each institution. For example:


2020–2021 Thai protests, First wave (February 2020), Hashtags
Some have mentioned their distaste of the pro-military and pro-monarchy conservatives (dubbed Salim — สลิ่ม; the word was derived from Thai dessert sarim) such as


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Protests under Three Demands
On 18 July, Thailand saw the largest street demonstration since the 2014 Thai coup d'état at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok with around 2,500 protesters. The protesters, organised under the name Free Youth (Thai: เยาวชนปลดแอก; RTGS: yaowachon plot aek), announced their three core demands: dissolution of the House, ending intimidation of the people and drafting a new constitution. A Free Youth leader stated that they do not aim to overthrow the monarchy. The gathering was planned to last overnight, but it was cancelled by midnight for security reasons.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Protests under Three Demands
After 18 July, the protests began to spread across the country. The first were in Chiang Mai Province and Ubon Ratchathani Province on 19 July. By 23 July, demonstrations had been organised in more than 20 provinces. Some major demonstrations include one in Maha Sarakham Province on 23 July, of which its hashtag #IsanSibothon quickly trended first on Twitter in Thailand, and one in Nakhon Ratchasima Province on 24 July saw one of the largest crowds amongst them.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Protests under Three Demands
On 25 July, a LGBT activist group Seri Thoey (lit. Free Thoey; parody to the Seri Thai – Free Thai Movement), demonstrated at the Democracy Monument calling for legalisation of same-sex marriage in addition to the three demands.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Protests under Three Demands
On 26 July, an event called “Let's run, Hamtaro” was organised at the Democracy Monument. Having begun in a protest at Triam Udom Suksa School in Bangkok, but later spread on Twitter, and eventually gathered around 3,000 people.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further demands of monarchy reform and subsequent protests
On 3 August, a Harry Potter-themed demonstration was held, which 200 people joined, featured a public speech by Arnon Nampa which openly criticised the monarchy, and demanded amendment of increasing royal prerogative and reform of the lèse majesté law. Paul Chambers, a Southeast Asian politics scholar, noted that "Such open criticism of Thailand's monarch by non-elites at a public place within Thailand with the police simply standing by is the first of its kind in Thai history." The police arrested Arnon and another Free Youth leader on 8 August.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further demands of monarchy reform and subsequent protests
On 10 August, there was a rally at Thammasat University, Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani Province named "ธรรมศาสตร์จะไม่ทน." (lit. Thammasat will not tolerate.) Totaling about 3,000 people, it employed the slogan "We don't want reforms; we want revolution." Among the events was the declaration of ten demands to reform the monarchy. According to AP, the protesters at the site had mixed reaction to the demands. BBC analyst called it the revolutionary speech for Thailand history.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further demands of monarchy reform and subsequent protests
On 14 August, BBC Thai reported that there had been protests associated with Free Youth in 49 provinces, while in 11 provinces saw activism associated with pro-establishment groups. In the same day, student activist Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak was arrested, leading to calls from Human Rights Watch to immediately release him and drop all charges against all activists.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further demands of monarchy reform and subsequent protests
On 16 August, a large gathering which around 20,000–25,000 people joined was held at the Democracy Monument and reiterated calls for a revised constitution and reforms to the monarchy.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further demands of monarchy reform and subsequent protests
On 20 August, two large-scale student protests of approximately 1,000 people each were held in Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen. Activists announced a “major rally” planned on 19 September 2020, at Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan campus.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Formal submission of demands and responses
On 26 August, student groups presented submissions, including the 10 demands, to the House of Representatives. Subsequently, the opposition and the coalition submitted constitutional amendment motions, including to amend the clause governing the constitution amendment procedure.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Formal submission of demands and responses
On 27–28 August, approximately 15,000 people gathered at 14 October Memorial for the first overnight protest, organized by the 'We are Friends' group. On 28 August, as 15 anti-government activists from the 18 July rally arrived to face charges.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Formal submission of demands and responses
In a rally described as one of the largest protests in years, on 19 September, protesters gathered at Thammasat University, then moved to Sanam Luang in the afternoon and stayed overnight there, with attendance estimated at anywhere between 20,000 and 100,000, On 20 September, the protesters installed a plaque symbolizing the now-missing Khana Ratsadon plaque at Sanam Luang. The protesters submitted their demands to the President of the Privy Council via the chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau before dispersing.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Formal submission of demands and responses
There were no reports of violence; protest leader Parit Chiwarak called for a general strike on 14 October to commemorate the 1973 Thai popular uprising. The plaque was removed less than 24 hours after it was installed; however, it has since proliferated as an online meme. Some international media described the rally as an open challenge to Vajiralongkorn.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Formal submission of demands and responses
On 24 September, Parliament voted to set up a study committee, effectively delaying a scheduled vote on constitutional amendment by at least a month. Discontent prompted #RepublicofThailand to trend first in the country's Twitter, with more than 700,000 retweets, the first mass public expression of republican sentiment in the country.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Strengthened emergency powers
After no major events for nearly a month, on 13 October, a small group of protesters gathered at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, to protest the passing of the king's motorcade, resulting in the detention of activists. The planned protest rally on 14 October began at Democracy Monument, with the objective of moving to Government House to demand the resignation of Prayut. They were met by "counter-protesters," who were trucked in using municipal vehicles, as well as right-wing groups, including the Thai Pakdee (Loyal Thais) and the Rubbish Collection Organization, who held their rallies.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Strengthened emergency powers
Later in the day, tens of thousands of protesters, some under the umbrella of "Khana Ratsadorn 2563", were largely peaceful, marked by some violent assaults on the protesters by pro-royalists, marched to Government House and set up camps around it. The protest coincided with a planned royal progression around the city. The royal motorcade passed a protester crowd, strayed from the announced route. Later that evening, Prayut ordered legal actions against the protesters for allegedly blocking the motorcade, but, according to Reuters, "none appeared to be trying to reach it". Arnon accused the authorities of intentionally arranging the motorcade through the rally site. He gave an estimate of 200,000 participants before midnight.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Strengthened emergency powers
On 15 October, the authorities declared a "severe" state of emergency in Bangkok from 04:00 local time and banned gatherings of five or more people. The protesters were cleared using riot police. In the process, police detained three protest leaders, and imposed a ban on sensitive media stories. During the day, troops were dispatched to guard the Government House and Parliament, raising alarm from an opposition member of parliament (MP) of resembling pre-2014 coup days. A smaller planned occupation of at least 13,500 participants went ahead at the Ratchaprasong intersection, and more protesters were arrested. A legal aid group reported at least 51 people were arrested between 13 and 15 October.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Strengthened emergency powers
On 16 October, around 2,000 unarmed protesters, mostly teenagers, gathered at Pathum Wan Intersection, and two hours later were dispersed by the police. High-pressure water cannons with chemical-filled water and tear gas were used. The Commander of the Metropolitan Police reported at least 100 people were arrested. Protesters vowed to continue. The police defended their use of the chemicals and that they were following "international standards."


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Strengthened emergency powers
Protests then organized more online and held flash protests at numerous locations. There were protests almost daily from 17 to 24 October, even though they were faced with government-ordered shutdown of the capital's rapid transit systems. In a televised speech on 21 October, Prayut suggested that both sides reconcile their differences through the parliamentary process. On the same day, a group of royalist counter-protesters wearing yellow shirts assaulted the protesters at Ramkhamhaeng University, resulting in one injured student. The following day, Prayut revoked the severe emergency declaration, on the grounds that the severity of the situation had lessened.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Strengthened emergency powers
Prayut scheduled an emergency parliamentary session for 26–27 October. Protesters, however, preferred that the government show good faith and resign before advocating for amendments. The non-voting sessions addressed none of the protesters' concerns. As a result, Prayut said that the government would present a Constitutional amendment bill and a reconciliation committee to resolve the political conflict would be set up.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 26 October, protesters marched to the German Embassy in Bangkok, petitioning the German government to investigate the King's activities in Germany, if he had exercising powers from German soil. And on 3 November, a demonstration was held to protest a block of the Pornhub website, a move suspected to restrict access to some compromising material of the king. Meanwhile, on 1 November, a group of over 10,000 yellow-shirted royalists demonstrated their support for the King at the Grand Palace.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 8 November, an estimated 7,000–10,000 protesters marched from Democracy Monument to the Grand Palace to deliver their letters to the King. The protesters insisted that their demand to reform the monarchy is already the best compromise they could offer. The gathering was largely peaceful, but the 9,000 men strong police employed water cannons for the second time. Though brief, the incident caused five injuries, including one police officer, according to the capital's emergency medical center.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 14 November, around 20 protesting groups ranging from high school, women rights to LGBTQ activists in an event called "Mob Fest". One event resulted in a covering of Democracy Monument with cloth, and a small clash with the police.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 17 November, the Senate and House of Representatives began a two-day joint session to consider changes to the constitution. That day, at least 55 people were hurt when protesters near Parliament clashed with the police and yellow-shirted royalists. Police fired tear gas and water cannon at the crowd. Six people suffered gunshot wounds. On the second day, lawmakers rejected five of the seven proposals to amend the constitution, including the submission by Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, which was most preferred by the protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 18 November, angered by the rejection of the people-proposed constitutional bill and the use of force the day before, thousands of protesters gathered at the Royal Thai Police's headquarters and hurled paint and sprayed graffiti in the area. On 19 November, police officers and pro-government volunteers rushed to clean it, which earned a thanks from Prayut. On 21 November, high school students led thousands of protesters in Bangkok. In addition to the common protest themes of government and monarchy reform, high school students are seeking more freedom and fairness in an education system.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 25 November, over 10,000 protesters converged on the headquarters of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) in northern Bangkok, in which the King is the largest shareholder, to demand an investigation into the king's wealth and spending. The police had heavily barricaded the area with shipping containers, concrete barricades and razor wire. The day before, Thai authorities ordered 12 protest leaders to turn themselves in on 1 December and face charges that include lèse-majesté. A well-known Thai royalist scholar Sulak Sivaraksa decried Prayut's using the lèse-majesté law and called for the prime minster's removal from office. At least two protesters were wounded in an explosion and shooting incident late into the night, four or five shots being fired. The police put the blame on rivalry in the vocational students group themselves.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 27 November, about 5,000 protesters joined an anti-coup drill in northern Bangkok's Lat Phrao Intersection. Protest leader Panupong "Mike Rayong" Jadnok urged people to park vehicles at key Bangkok intersections in the event of a coup, to obstruct military movement.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 29 November, thousands of protesters marched to a barracks, demanding the King to give up control of some army regiments. At the 11th Infantry Regiment, one of two army units that the king brought under his direct command in 2019, protesters splashed red paint on the ground, referencing the deadly army crackdown on anti-government redshirt demonstrators in 2010. They were blocked at the gate by riot police in gas masks and helmets.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 2 December, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of Prayut in a conflict-of-interest case over his use of military housing. The former army chief had been living in a military residence after retiring from the army in 2014, months after he led the coup over the elected government. The ruling allowed Pruyut to remain in power. Thousands of protested gathered at the Lat Phrao Intersection to protest the verdict.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 7 December, Free Youth began a Restart Thailand campaign emphasizing the importance of farmers and laborers. Their use of a hammer and sickle banner drew criticism for its links to communism. Many student leaders distanced themselves from the group, concerned that new protesters would be discouraged.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
On 10 December, democracy activists rallied at the UN's Bangkok office, held up a banner saying "Repeal Lèse-Majesté Law." Representatives were admitted to the building to hand over a letter, requesting the UN to pressure the Thai government into repealing Lèse-majesté laws they say are being used to suppress their movement. Hundreds of protesters also rallied at the 14 October 1973 Memorial that commemorates the lives of pro-democracy supporters lost during a military massacre in 1973, they raised the three-finger salute and shouted "Abolish 112," referring to the criminal code of lèse-majesté law. Ahead of the rally, protest leaders held a news conference at the 14 October 1973 Memorial. "We join together to demand the abolishment of this legal provision," a protest leader said, reading out a prepared statement regarding lèse-majesté in English.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Second wave (July–December 2020), Further anti-royal protests
After five months of street protest, the movement quieted in late December before New Year, which also coincided with a COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Protest leaders said they were taking a "break".


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
After protestors took a break in December 2020 and January 2021 as Thailand was hit by a second wave of COVID-19 infections during the pandemic in the country. During the break from street protests, the movement continued to voice their opinions online, while prominent members faced legal battles. Between November and December 2020, 38 individuals were charged with lese-majeste. A student was arrested at his dormitory at 3.00 a.m. on 14 January 2021, leading to a flash protest at the local police station.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
On 16 January 2021, five protesters at a flash protest targeted at lese-majeste law were arrested by anti-riot police, marking the first street protest in 2021. A small explosion from a ping-pong bomb was heard which was apparently thrown at the approaching police, raising concerns of increasing violence. A member of a protest security group was kidnapped on the same day and was later found on 17 January, which state security personnel were thought to be the perpetuator.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
On 19 January 2021, Benja Apan from Thammasat group went to Iconsiam shopping mall owned by Sirindhorn and Charoen Pokphand group to protest holding signs saying “Monopolizing the vaccine to give the spotlight to the monarchy”, directly linked to Vajiralongkorn's Siam Bioscience drug company. She was harassed and assaulted by Iconsiam guard.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
On 1 February, in response to 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, Thai and Myanmar protesters organised an event at the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, resulting in three arrests. On 10 February, the protesters held the first street rally in months, to protest the detention of four prominent members who were charged with lese majeste, among others. In the evening, explosive sound was heard, and an empty tear gas canister was found. The police, without any investigation, readily told reporters that the canister was stolen from prior rallies. Ten activists were briefly detained for hanging protest banners.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
On 13 February, the protesters held a peaceful demonstration at Democracy Monument and the City Pillar Shrine. However, clashes between them and the police happened in the evening, with video of riot police stomping a men dressed in a medic uniform. Eleven more activists were detained, and #ตำรวจกระทืบหมอ ("police stomped doctor") trended the country's Twitter.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
On 28 February, as the movement was trying to rebuild momentum since the break and jailing of some core protesters, the Restart Democracy group (rebranded from Free Youth group) held an event at 1st Infantry Regiment, where Prayut's residence and the headquarter of King's Close Bodyguard are located. The skirmishes between both sides began in the evening, shortly before a decision to disperse. Some hardline protesters held their ground, while throwing objects at the police. The police retaliated by employing water cannon, tear gas, and rubber bullet at them.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
According to Bangkok's emergency medical service, 10 protesters and 22 police officers were injured. The leaderless tactics employed there were criticized by fellow protest organizers, who pointed out the communication problems and inability to deescalate. During the event, out of uniform security personnel were seen near the protest venue, the second time since the 13 February event.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
On 17 March, Thai Parliament voted down two constitutional amendment bills, after the Constitutional Court ruled that the amendment must pass a referendum first.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Third wave (February 2021–March 2021)
On 20 March, a protester group called REDEM, amounting about 1,000, gathered at Sanam Luang, in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The venue was heavily barricaded with shipping containers. The skirmish broke out when some protesters tried to remove the barricade, but was met with police water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullet, while some protesters used molotov cocktails and burned tires. One journalist opined that the government response was intensified compared to last year. 33 people, including 12 police officers, were reported injured, and 32 people were arrested.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Fourth wave (June 2021–)
Although the new NGO laws had been implemented and the pandemic is still serious, starting from mid-June, a new wave of protest started. Further protests were arranged in July,  police employed tear gas and rubber bullets against some of the protests.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Fourth wave (June 2021–)
Rallies occurred in more than 30 provinces on 1 August.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Fourth wave (June 2021–)
On 3 August, Arnon Nampa gave a critical speech once again on the front of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre to commemorate 'Harry Potter themed' last year. This time he demanded a revoke of Article 112 law and transfering of public asset from the King back to the previous status. He has been in jail since 9 August until today on lese majeste charges.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Fourth wave (June 2021–)
On 7 August, the Free Youth group planned a march to the Grand Palace from the Democracy Monument asking for reform and a good vaccine program, but Thai riot police pressured them out before the event starts. They headed back to the parliament. But later, they went further to the Victory Monument, preparing to go to Prayut Chan-OCha house. Thai riot police closed the Din Daeng area to prevent protesters from going near Prayuth's house. The police fired a lot of tear gas at them. It was the beginning of Din Daeng's later series of protests. Around 6pm, the police truck was burned near the Victory Monument.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Fourth wave (June 2021–)
Din Daeng's non-organized protest, called Talugaz, is still going on since 7 August.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Fourth wave (June 2021–)
Benja Apan led the 10 August 2021 UFTD 'Car Mob' protest which stated at Ratchaprasong intersection. She stated in front of the Sino-Thai office, a construction company owned by Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, that the 2014 coup by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha benefited only the elite. She criticized the government’s mishandling of COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, reboot the economy, repeals the junta constitution, reforms in state structures, and the monarchy.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Fourth wave (June 2021–)
Benja Apan was arrested on 7 October for lèse majesté charge related to the 10 August 2021 'Car Mob' protest, demanding political and monarchy reform. She has been denied bail. She was imprisoned without a trial in Central Women Correctional Institution since then.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Financing
The protests are financed by private donations, mainly from actress Intira Charoenpura and the K-pop fandom in Thailand — the latter alone donated over ฿3,600,000 (around US$115,399) on 18 October 2020. There have been attempts to prosecute the donors. A conspiracy theory accusing foreigners, including the United States government and American organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Netflix, of funding the protests has been voiced by the royalist group Thailand Vision and campaigners at pro-government rallies, leading the U.S. embassy in Bangkok to issue a formal statement of denial. Pro -monarchy demonstrators gathered at the embassy on 27 October, demanding that the United States end the "hybrid war" against Thailand.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
An Isaan Record analysis found that the government response has included force and intimidation, arbitrary detention, arrests and changes, disinformation, the deployment of military Information and Operations units, media censorship, delaying tactics, obfuscation, support for pro-government groups, gaslighting, and negotiation, as well as mobile jamming devices. The Government Public Relations Department of Thailand released two propaganda YouTube videos attacking the protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
Prayut blamed the protesters for further damaging the country's economy. Key military personnel, such as General Apirat Kongsompong, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, condemned the protesters, even accusing them of lése majesté, while the new Army commander Narongpan Jittkaewtae told the protesters to "reform yourselves first." Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a notable politician from a junior coalition partner, expressed concern about implications for COVID-19 spread whilst signaling his own neutrality. However, the country's coronavirus caseloads remained low amidst the growing protests.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
The authorities have intimidated protesters via the state academic system. The Thai authorities, referencing the Thammasat University Massacre and 1992 protests, ordered universities to prevent students from demanding monarchy reform and to compile lists of protest leaders. Some universities and schools responded by forbidding their staff and students to join the protests and by banning gatherings on their grounds, claiming COVID-19 concerns, while police issued warning letters. On 18 August, a Ministry of Education department allowed students to hold rallies in state schools. However, in late August, student groups reported that at least 109 schools had suppressed or intimidated political expression.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
As of December 2020, at least 234 people were arrested, with charges including sedition; five were arrested without charges. In early August, watchdog organization iLaw reported at least 78 incidents of intimidation of protest sympathizers. In early September, the police summonsed the first schoolchild protester for violating the security laws. At least 63 protesters have been charged under the controversial and repeatedly extended COVID-19 emergency decree, in 17 cases, despite the government claiming it would not be employed in this way. The people in police custody are sometimes found injured.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
The state has attempted to severely restrict online freedom of speech. On 24 August, in response to a Thai government order, Facebook blocked access in Thailand to the million-member main Facebook page critical of the monarchy, Royalist Marketplace. Facebook is challenging the order in the courts. The authorities attempted to block more than 2,200 websites ahead of the 19 September rally. Following the rally, a minister filed a complaint to prosecute Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for allowing anti-government content, the first time the Computer Crimes Act has been used against foreign service providers. A Thai media provider was reported to be censoring a foreign news network reporting the protests.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
A severe state of emergency was declared in Bangkok during 15–22 October, during which the police moved to ban or block anti-government or independent media, together with the Free Youth Facebook page, and seized books criticizing the monarchy. Ministry of Digital Economy and Society stated it intended to prosecute internet service providers and online platforms which allows prohibited content, and reported about 320,000 illegal messages. In response, several Thai press associations issued a joint statement opposing suppression of the media. The authorities also required foreign diplomats to obtain advance permission to observe protests. An extraordinary parliamentary session was held 26–27 October to attempt to resolve the political situation.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
On 24 October, student activist leader Jatupat Boonpattararaksa was granted bail from Bangkok Remand Prison; he called for the unconditional release of fellow protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration lend its support to the counter-protesters by transporting them to the rally site, as well as accommodating them with trash trucks and mobile toilets.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
In November 2020, Prayut stated that he would intensify the use of all laws and all articles against unlawful protesters, which would include the resumption of prosecuting lese majeste alleged crimes. The police then issued arrest warrant on lese majeste charge to 15 prominent protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, State response and arrests
In May 2021 bail was granted to Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak and Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, The King's position
The King and the palace initially did not express any public opinion about the protests. In August, the Asia Times quoted a government official stating that the King was not bothered by the 'children's' protests, but an Al Jazeera article reported that the Thai monarchy has asked Thai media to censor mention of the ten demands.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, The King's position
On 16 October, a speech by Vajiralongkorn the day before was made public, stating: "Now it is understood that the country needs people who love the country and love the monarchy". On 24 October, a video of the King praising former PDRC leader and ex-monk Buddha Issara and another counter-protester who raised a picture of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a protest was posted to a royalist Facebook group; royalists embraced it, while the protesters viewed the comment as a position statement, prompting the hashtag #23ตุลาตาสว่าง (23Oct Eyes Opened) to trend on the country's Twitter. He made the first public comment in November: that he "love[s] them [Thai people] all the same," and "Thailand is the land of compromise."


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, The King's position
Patrick Jory, a senior lecturer in Southeast Asian history at the University of Queensland, described the unpredictable nature of the King and "his willingness to use violence," and says that he may have pressured Prayut to suppress the protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Support
In August, a Move Forward Party MP stated that some references to the monarchy in the protests were inconvenient truths that required attention. He received stark responses from Manager Online and General Apirat Kongsompong, who insisted that some protesters intended to overthrow the monarchy, or had fallen victim to third-party manipulators. In early September, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Sompong Amornwiwat, stated a motion from the opposition coalition to amend Article 256 was aligned with the demands of the protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Support
Despite threats to their careers, many Thai celebrities have publicly expressed support for the protesters. A group of 147 university faculty members has issued a statement saying the protesters' demand for monarchical reform did not violate the law. The Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights, another group of 358 scholars, has also expressed full support for the protesters. A physician was sacked for signing petition in support of the movement.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Support
In August, UNICEF issued a statement invoking the Convention on the Rights of the Child that called for schools and learning institutions to be safe havens and forums for children's freedom of expression. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Amnesty International recognized the peaceful nature of the rallies, and condemned police crackdowns. The Human Rights Watch Asia director stated, "Criminalizing peaceful protests and calls for political reform is a hallmark of authoritarian rule" and called for governments and the United Nations to condemn the repression of the protests and urge the release of protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Support
Some international groups and individuals expressed their support for the movements, for example Hong Kong student protesters, including activist Joshua Wong. Civil society groups in South Korea urged their government to stop exporting water cannons to Thailand. UN human rights experts, including Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, issued a statement urging the government to guarantee the fundamental rights of free speech and peaceful assembly and to remove the ban on peaceful protests.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Support
In October, Khaosod English and Bangkok Post editorials called for Prayut to resign, but both did not press the demands to draft a new constitution and reform the monarchy.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Opposition
State-sponsored organized opposition to the protests emerged in August and included the accusation of a global conspiracy being funded or masterminded by a foreign government or NGOs. On 10 August, the Thai Move Institute released a diagram of an alleged 'people's revolution network' linking student protests to former FFP leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The police and right-wing groups targeted Thanatorn and his allies for being accused of masterminding the protests. A singer and protester posted a video clip revealing a protester shot with live bullet by the counter-protesters. Groups of males with very short haircut and similar clothing are speculated to be out-of-uniform military or police officers who staged counter protests.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Opposition
Right-wing media and organizations quickly attacked the August demands for monarchy reform, stating that the call to reform the monarchy was an act of evil, causing disunity and undermining the monarchy, and accusing the Pheu Thai Party and the former FFP of manipulating protesters. Most politicians expressed a negative reaction to the demands, including Sudarat Keyuraphan, an influential Pheu Thai politician. On social media platforms, user accounts, including ones coordinated by the ultra-royalist Rubbish Collection Organization, which has been characterized as fascist, attacked protesters, some going so far as to urging child rape. In mid-September, Thailand's Constitutional Court accepted a complaint of treason against the 10 Demands protest leaders. Right-wing groups and media quickly attacked the protesters from the royal motorcade incident on 14 October.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Opposition
At least 103 cases of harassment of students have been reported, and protesting tactics have been condemned; some considered a protester's act of hurling paint at police officers to be violent or not peaceful. Opponents also find vulgar language used by protest leaders unacceptable.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Opposition
On 28 November, Warong Dechgitvigrom, a right-wing physician formed the new right wing group "Thai Pakdee Party" (Thai: พรรคไทยภักดี ; lit. Loyal Thai), he also attacking the protester and supporting the government and the monarchy which he reacted to Jonathan Head, BBC News journalist during an interview in Bangkok he said that he believes if English people used the words against Queen Elizabeth, they would have been jailed a long time ago.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Opposition
Royalist and pro-government media often ran stories which portrayed counter-protesters as victims, or the protesters as agitating for violence. Royalists believe that protesters want the monarchy dissolved, a position which they have denied. Some business known for supporting the regime, such as Foodpanda, issued a statement branding the movement "terrorists," prompting consumer boycott.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Reactions, Polls
A national Suan Dusit poll from 16 to 21 August of 197,029 people found that 59.1% stated the students were making demands as permitted in a democracy, 62.8% agreed with the demand for reform of the Constitution and 53.9% agreed that the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should "resign or dissolve parliament", while 59.5% agreed that the government should "stop intimidating" people. Overall support for the protests stood at 53.7%, with 41.2% opposed.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Protestor tactics and demands
Some commentators say demands for monarchy reform before have only been made by fringe groups, yet there is consensus that this protest is the first time such demands have been discussed publicly. The calls may drive away some sympathisers, but if the government cracks down on the protests as a consequence, it could bring more support to the movement. In mid-August, Atith Keating wrote that student protests lack a coherent strategy; they do not have plans beyond day-to-day demonstrations. This may be caused by the lack of a centralised structure, as in the peak of student movements in the 1970s.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Protestor tactics and demands
Student protesters are seen as being more creative, networked, and technologically savvy than the government and as having time on their side, as well as being the targets of disproportionate persecution that could sway public opinion, with at least a chance of causing the government to collapse provided the anti-monarchy element does not provoke a backlash.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Protestor tactics and demands
One Bangkok Post columnist wrote that republican sentiment has never been stronger in Thailand, while another opined that the 19 September protest was a critical juncture for the movement, with the protesters needing to broaden their agenda again to wider societal reforms if it were to succeed. A political scientist professor opined that an absence of protest leaders increased the risk of the movement getting out of control and could further no strategic initiatives.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Protestor tactics and demands
The protest movement's utilization of coordinated protest techniques, including the use of communications technology, memes, music and social media has contrasted with the traditional techniques used by law enforcement, such as police battalions, state propaganda, and water cannon. After the police crackdown on 16 October, the hashtag #WhatsHappeningInThailand was created and heavily utilized, with content published in various languages across various social media platforms in order to attract global attention to the situation in the country.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Protestor tactics and demands
In some rallies, most of the participants were women, including schoolgirls protesting for social change and against gender inequality and patriarchy.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Protestor tactics and demands
After the arrest of many of Thai protest leaders, following their counterparts in Hong Kong, activists in Thailand changed their tactics. Claiming themselves to all be leaders, tactics such as holding up umbrellas in order shield themselves from tear gas canisters have been used. According to AP, the protesters emphasizes increasingly on the reform of the monarchy, but faced serious obstacles, including notably opposition party leaders who agreed with their all other demands.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Protestor tactics and demands
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor from Chulalongkorn University, opined that the strength of the movement was decreasing since jailing of core leaders and introduction of hammer and sickle symbol in late 2020, and criticized the movement for being too ambitious and employing counterproductive tactics.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Possibility of a coup
By September, protester pressure meant speculation about the possibility of a Thai military coup against Prayut increased, as his administration began to be viewed as increasingly untenable, and rumors became rife when a tank was spotted in the streets; the military stated, as is usual on such occasions, that this was part of a previously scheduled military exercise. However, this does not guarantee a more receptive audience to the protesters' demands as a palace-backed military faction is in ascendance. BBC correspondent Jonathan Head wrote that the authorities could end their tolerance of the protests since the King had returned to Thailand and might actively pursue those who they believed to fund the protesters.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Possibility of a coup
Sonthi Limthongkul, former People's Alliance for Democracy leader, called for an intervention by the military, even though the Prime Minister and army commander dismissed its possibility.


2020–2021 Thai protests, Analysis, Economic Impact
Tamara Mast Henderson at Bloomberg argued that the unrest could lead to the change in the risk premium demanded by investors that hold Thai bonds.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis
As of July 2021, there is an ongoing constitutional crisis in Ukraine since 27 October 2020, when the Constitutional Court of Ukraine invalidated much of Ukraine's 2014 anti-corruption reform as unconstitutional.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Background
In July 2020, 49 People's Deputy of Ukraine (47 of these were members of Opposition Platform — For Life) appealed to the Constitutional Court with a motion to recognize unconstitutional the law on the High Anti- Corruption Court of Ukraine of 7 June 2018. On 16 September, the Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional certain provisions of the law on the National Anti- Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). On 28 July it declared unconstitutional the Presidential decree of 16 April 2015 on the appointment of Artem Sytnyk as NABU Director.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Background
On 27 October the court, on the motion of 47 legislators, the court recognized the provisions of the laws on e-declarations' vetting as unconstitutional and stripped the relevant watchdog, the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NACP) of powers to vet declarations and identify conflicts of interest. This decision deprived the NACP of access to state registers required for vetting declarations of candidates for government offices, thus blocking the appointment of officials, including those elected in the October 2020 Ukrainian local elections.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Background
The NABU responded by claiming that as a result of the court ruling all criminal cases probing inaccurate asset declaration would be closed, while officials exposed on abuse would avoid responsibility. On 28 October the NACP shut down public access to the Unified State Register of Asset Declarations, which was restored overnight the following day in line with the Shmyhal Government decision following public outrage.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
The 27 October ruling of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled invalidated much of Ukraine's 2014 anti-corruption reform as unconstitutional. Following the decision, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that if parliament did not restore these anti-corruption laws, foreign aid, loans and a visa-free travel to the European Union were at risk. Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko of the National Bank of Ukraine reported that Ukraine will not receive the scheduled $700 million IMF load before the end of 2020 because of the issue.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
IMF assessment teams had not visited Ukraine for eight months, which is necessary for further IMF loan tranches to be released. The European Union (EU) issued a statement that that stated the court’s decision called “into question a number of international commitments which Ukraine assumed in relation to its international partners, including the EU.”


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
On 29 October, President Zelensky submitted to the Ukrainian parliament a draft law, offering an early termination of powers of the Constitutional Court's entire composition. Lawmakers rejected this bill, including several members of his Zelensky's ruling Servant of the People. Some accused him of a power grab. On 27 January 2021 Zelensky withdrew the bill.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
On 4 December 2020, the Ukrainian parliament restored anti-corruption legislation shut down by the court decision, when it reauthorised criminal penalties for officials who provide false information about their incomes.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
In December 2020, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine was unable to carry out its usual functions because of some justices boycotting the court. On 29 December 2020 President Zelensky suspended the courts chairperson Oleksandr Tupytskyi for two months in an effort to end the crisis. The following day the Constitutional Court stated it considered the President's decree "legally insignificant" and they did not plan to implement it. The Prosecutor General's office had also asked President Zelensky to suspend Tupytskyi for two months after he failed to show up for police questioning.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
Tupytskyi is under investigation of alleged attempts to influence a witness through bribery and providing false testimony three times in a case against a company that produces transport equipment in 2018 and 2019, when he served as deputy chairman of the Constitutional Court. On 8 February 2021, the Kyiv District Administrative Court dismissed a lawsuit requested by Tupytskyi against the State Security Administration for not allowing him to work in the Constitutional Court. The court noted that Tupytskyi had not provide evidence confirming the danger to "his rights and interests."


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
On 26 February 2021, President Zelensky signed a decree that suspended chairperson Tupytskyi for another month.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
On 27 March 2021, Zelensky annulled the decree of former President Viktor Yanukovych of May 2013, appointing Oleksandr Tupytskyi and Oleksandr Kasminin judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. According to Zelensky, their tenure did "pose a threat to state independence and national security of Ukraine, which violates the Constitution of Ukraine, human and civil rights and freedoms." According to Zelensky, their appointments were canceled following an audit of the decrees of President Yanukovych carried out by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.


2020–2021 Ukrainian constitutional crisis, Constitutional crisis
On 14 July 2021, the administrative court within the Constitutional Court declared Zelensky's 27 March 2021 decree illegal and revoked it. The court concluded that the President of Ukraine does not have the authority to decide on the dismissal or termination of powers of judges of the Constitutional Court or to decide to revoke the decree on the previous appointment of a judge of the Constitutional Court.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
An ongoing wave of civil unrest in the United States, triggered by the murder of George Floyd during his arrest by Minneapolis police officers on May 25, 2020, has comprised peaceful protests and non-peaceful riots against systemic racism towards African Americans in the United States, such as in the form of police violence.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
It is partly facilitated by the nationwide Black Lives Matter movement. Following the murder of Floyd, unrest broke out in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area on May 26, and quickly spread across the country and the world. Polls have estimated that between 15 million and 26 million people have participated at some point in the demonstrations in the United States, making them the largest protests in United States history. It was also estimated that between May 26 and August 22, around 93% of protests were "peaceful and nondestructive". According to several studies and analyses, protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful. At some protests, counter-protesters and right-wing infiltrators instigated or escalated violence. According to a Movement for Black Lives report, the US federal government targeted black lives matter activists during the protests.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
The unrest precipitated a national American cultural reckoning on topics of racial injustice. Public opinion of racism and discrimination quickly shifted in the wake of the protests, with significantly increased support of the Black Lives Matter movement and acknowledgement of institutional racism. Demonstrators revived a public campaign for the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials as well as other historic symbols such as statues of venerated American slaveholders and modern display of the Confederate battle flag. Public backlash widened to other institutional symbols, including place names, namesakes, brands and cultural practices.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
This itself has sparked conflict, between left-wing and right-wing groups, often violent. Several far-right groups, including civilian militias and white supremacists, have fought with members of "a broad coalition of leftist anti-racist groups" in street clashes. Anti -racist self-education became a trend throughout June 2020 in the United States. Black anti-racist writers found new audiences and places on bestseller lists. American consumers also sought out Black-owned businesses to support. The effects of American activism extended internationally. Multiple media began to refer to it as an international reckoning on racial issues in early June.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
Within Minneapolis, widespread property destruction and looting occurred, including a police station being overrun by demonstrators and set on fire, causing the Minnesota National Guard to be activated and deployed on May 28. After a week of unrest, over $500 million in property damage was reported in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, with two deaths linked to the riots.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
Further unrest quickly spread throughout the United States, sometimes including rioting, looting, and arson. By early June, at least 200 American cities had imposed curfews, while more than 30 states and Washington, D.C, had activated over 62,000 National Guard personnel in response to unrest. By the end of June, at least 14,000 people had been arrested at protests. According to a September 2020 estimate, arson, vandalism and looting caused about $1–2 billion in insured damage between May 26 and June 8, making this initial phase of the George Floyd protests the civil disorder event with the highest recorded damage in United States history.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
There has also been a large concentration of unrest around Portland, Oregon, which has led to the Department of Homeland Security deploying federal agents in the city from June onward. The move was code named Operation Legend, after four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed in Kansas City. Federal forces have since also been deployed in other cities which have faced large amounts of unrest, including Kansas City and Seattle.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest
More localized unrest reemerged in several cities following incidents involving police officers, notably following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which led to protests and riots in the city. The protests have led to requests at the federal, state and municipal levels intended to combat police misconduct, systemic racism, qualified immunity and police brutality in the United States.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest, Background, Police brutality in the United States
Cases of fatal use of force by law enforcement officers in the United States, particularly against African Americans, have long led the civil rights movement and other activists to protest against the lack of police accountability in incidents involving excessive force. Many protests during the civil rights movement were a response to police brutality, including the 1965 Watts riots which resulted in the deaths of 34 people, mostly African Americans. The largest post-civil rights movement protest in the 20th-century was the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which were in response to the acquittal of police officers in using excessive force against Rodney King, an African American man.


2020–2021 United States racial unrest, Background, Police brutality in the United States
In 2014, the shooting of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Missouri resulted in local protests and unrest while the death of Eric Garner in New York City resulted in numerous national protests. After Eric Garner and George Floyd repeatedly said "I can't breathe" during their arrests, the phrase became a protest slogan against police brutality. In 2015 the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore police custody resulted in riots in the city and nationwide protests as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.