The Thai protest leader who emerged with a kiss

Tattep Ruangprapaikit, a political science student and LGBTQ activist who is leading the Free Youth group, speaks during a rally to demand the government to resign, to dissolve the parliament and to hold new elections under a revised constitution, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 16, 2020. Picture taken August 16, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

BANGKOK (Reuters) - It was with a kiss that student activist Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree first took centre stage in Thai politics.

His embrace with his boyfriend at parliament as they campaigned for gay marriage rights last December shocked conservatives and stirred a social media storm.