<p>The hashtag #RepublicofThailand trended on Twitter in Thailand on Friday after parliament voted to push back the question of changing the constitution as protesters have demanded.</p>.<p>During more than two months of anti-government protests, some protest leaders have said they seek constitutional reforms to reduce the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's monarchy but that they were not seeking to abolish it.</p>.<p>The republican hashtag, in English rather than Thai, had been used in more than 7,30,000 Tweets and was the top trending hashtag in Thailand on Friday morning, according to Twitter.</p>.<p>The Royal Palace did not comment and has made no response to requests for comment on the protests or the demands for royal reform.</p>.<p>Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said he had not seen the hashtag and declined to comment on it but said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was listening to all sides on the issue of the constitution.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/our-first-dictatorship-is-school-thai-kids-revolt-892684.html" target="_blank">Our first dictatorship is school: Thai kids revolt</a></strong></p>.<p>"There are those who want to amend the constitution and others who don't," he said.</p>.<p>Parliament, dominated by supporters of the government, voted on Thursday to delay making a decision on whether it will amend the constitution.</p>.<p>The decision angered protesters and opposition parliamentarians, who accused parliament of trying to buy time.</p>.<p>Protesters seek changes to a constitution they say was drafted to ensure Prayuth, a former junta leader, kept power after an election last year. They also want his departure. Prayuth says the election was fair.</p>.<p>The protests are the biggest challenge to the military and palace-dominated establishment since Prayuth took power in a 2014 coup.</p>.<p>The biggest protest drew tens of thousands of people at the weekend. They cheered calls for reforms to the monarchy, which were first aired in August, breaking a longstanding taboo on not criticising an institution that the constitution says must be held "in a position of revered worship".</p>.<p>Some protesters say the constitution also gives too much power to the king, who paid a rare visit to Thailand on Thursday for ceremonies honouring his grandfather, Prince Mahidol Adulyadej.</p>.<p>The king has spent most of his time in Europe since taking the throne nearly four years ago.</p>.<p>Hundreds of royalists marched to parliament on Wednesday to oppose calls from the anti-government protesters for changes to the constitution. </p>
<p>The hashtag #RepublicofThailand trended on Twitter in Thailand on Friday after parliament voted to push back the question of changing the constitution as protesters have demanded.</p>.<p>During more than two months of anti-government protests, some protest leaders have said they seek constitutional reforms to reduce the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's monarchy but that they were not seeking to abolish it.</p>.<p>The republican hashtag, in English rather than Thai, had been used in more than 7,30,000 Tweets and was the top trending hashtag in Thailand on Friday morning, according to Twitter.</p>.<p>The Royal Palace did not comment and has made no response to requests for comment on the protests or the demands for royal reform.</p>.<p>Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said he had not seen the hashtag and declined to comment on it but said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was listening to all sides on the issue of the constitution.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/our-first-dictatorship-is-school-thai-kids-revolt-892684.html" target="_blank">Our first dictatorship is school: Thai kids revolt</a></strong></p>.<p>"There are those who want to amend the constitution and others who don't," he said.</p>.<p>Parliament, dominated by supporters of the government, voted on Thursday to delay making a decision on whether it will amend the constitution.</p>.<p>The decision angered protesters and opposition parliamentarians, who accused parliament of trying to buy time.</p>.<p>Protesters seek changes to a constitution they say was drafted to ensure Prayuth, a former junta leader, kept power after an election last year. They also want his departure. Prayuth says the election was fair.</p>.<p>The protests are the biggest challenge to the military and palace-dominated establishment since Prayuth took power in a 2014 coup.</p>.<p>The biggest protest drew tens of thousands of people at the weekend. They cheered calls for reforms to the monarchy, which were first aired in August, breaking a longstanding taboo on not criticising an institution that the constitution says must be held "in a position of revered worship".</p>.<p>Some protesters say the constitution also gives too much power to the king, who paid a rare visit to Thailand on Thursday for ceremonies honouring his grandfather, Prince Mahidol Adulyadej.</p>.<p>The king has spent most of his time in Europe since taking the throne nearly four years ago.</p>.<p>Hundreds of royalists marched to parliament on Wednesday to oppose calls from the anti-government protesters for changes to the constitution. </p>