Thai exile's kidnapping sparks protests over 'missing' critics

People hold signs in support of abducted Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit during a protest calling for an investigation, in front of the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, June 8, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Protests flared in Bangkok on Monday against the suspected kidnapping of a Thai activist in Cambodia which has reignited protests against Thailand’s military-royalist elite, with some online questioning a law banning criticism of the monarchy.

Small student protests over the banning of a youth-oriented opposition party had bubbled up before the coronavirus pandemic, but were stopped by government restrictions during the health crisis.