Netizens have used several methods of calculations to find the capacity at Victory Monument after the police reported that 20,000 protestors joined the rally on 18 October 2020. The rallies in Thailand are still going on every day with several rally points in Bangkok and across the country. A famous democracy activist named John Winyu tweeted “How many people would there approximately be if the Victory Monument filled up like this. There is a media channel that reported about 20,000 protestors joined the rally. Who can give more information”. The tweet sparked an online conversation with most arguments claiming that there were definitely more than 20,000 people in the rally.
The first argument uses google earth to measure the area of Victory Monument coming to approximately 24,000 sq m. Based on the estimate that 1 sq m can hold 1.5 persons or 3 persons per 2 sqm, then 24,000×1.5 comes to a conclusion of approximately 36,000 persons. The next argument uses google maps to measure the radius of Victory Monument with 2 separate radius measurements, the inner and the outer. The outer radius measures at about 58 sq m and the inner radius measures at about 23 sq m. When the numbers are inserted into the calculations then the area is approximately 8,900 sq m. Based on the estimate that 1 sq m can hold 3.5 persons, then 8900 x 3.5 comes to a conclusion of about 31,172 persons.
The third argument uses a website that calculates the crowd size estimation. After inserting the estimated area of Victory Monument based on high angle shots of the rally. Results come to approximately 37,444 protestors were at the monument on the day of the rally. Based on all 3 arguments, all different methods of calculations come to an estimate that there were more than 30,000 protestors on the date. Although the real number is unknown as the exact number of protestors varies on the time. The Free Youth group are announcing the meeting points right before the rallies take place every day as a method to confuse the officials. Democracy activists wait near BTS and MRT stations and when the time comes they travel to the nearest meeting point. There are no overnight rallies and when the time comes protestors disappear faster than when they arrived, all done without leaving a mess on the roads.
FB Caption: How many democracy activists are there in Thailand right now?
Source: Khaosod
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