Why a large yellow rubber duck has become a Thai protest symbol?

A new and unlikely mascot has emerged from the latest Thai protests- a giant, inflatable rubber duck.

Protests started in Thailand in July this year, seeking the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and demanding reform of the Thai monarchy

According to abc, Initially, they were meant as a bit of a joke, a pool toy would be the only way to access the blocked-off Parliament, which sits on a riverbank in Bangkok.

But when the water cannons came out, spewing fluid laced with blue dye, protesters quickly repurposed the ducks as shields. Images of the standoff were shared widely on social media

According to a Reuters report, these yellow rubber ducks had first made an appearance on Tuesday this past week, when protesters had gathered outside the police headquarters in Bangkok, on what was the day of the most violent of demonstrations.

Protesters joked that the only way to reach parliament, where possible changes to the constitution were under discussion, would be to send rubber ducks along the river.