(ANSA) - BANGKOK, MAR 20 - The Thai police today used water cannons and rubber bullets outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, after demonstrators broke through a barrage of containers during a protest to demand reform from the monarchy.
Riots in the Thai capital have been going on ever since the pro-democracy movement kicked off last July, prompting a review of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha's administration and a drafting of the Constitution.
The most controversial demands also include a reform of the monarchy, including the abolition of the draconian laws on royal defamation.
In Sanam Luang, a historic field in front of the building, a container wall was erected, with two rows on top of each other, to keep the demonstrators at a distance, but an hour into the rally, some of them used ropes. to break down part of the top row, allowing for a small opening.
The demonstrators who managed to pass then threw Molotov cocktails at dozens of policemen lined up in front of trucks with water cannons, about 100 meters away, who at this point intervened to prevent the demonstrators from approaching.
Police then chased the protesters away from the area, firing rubber bullets and tear gas.
By evening, most of the protesters had disappeared, with only a few diehard activists still on the spot.
Since the demonstrations began, over 60 people have been accused of breaking the draconian law on real defamation, and some of the most prominent leaders have been arrested.
Laws protect powerful King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family from defamation, but human rights groups say their wide use means that anything perceived as criticism can lead a person to prison for up to 15 years, for any charge.
(HANDLE).