Anti-government protesters and police officers clashed in Bangkok’s Din Daeng area after a demonstration on Tuesday.
The clash was reported Tuesday night after protest groups organized a car mob, with autos and motorcycles joining demonstrations in the capital.
Tuesday’s gathering was led by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration.
Earlier, protesters gave speeches and called for resignations outside buildings linked to cabinet members and supporters of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Again, pro-democracy protesters criticized the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and its power to silence opponents.
Anti-government groups also said authorities lacked the ability to run the country and only cared for the elite’s interests.
Protest leaders announced a gathering at the Ratchaprasong intersection around 1:00 p.m.
After arriving, they moved along Ploenchit Road until reaching the Asok intersection. Later, they marched on the Asok Montri and Phetchaburi highways to Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc.
Protest leaders criticized Sino-Thai for having connections with Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and providing financial support to the prime minister.
The giant company is allegedly owned by Mr. Anutin’s family.
Demonstrators then headed to Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow’s residence on Rama IX Road.
Later, protest groups moved on Asok-Din Daeng Road to King Power Group on Rang Nam Road.
But, along the way, some protesters confronted police officers blocking access to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, located near the Din Daeng intersection, while leading to the prime minister’s residence.
The media reported that firecrackers were thrown there.
Protest leaders canceled the rally around 5:00 p.m. However, some people remained in the Din Daeng area.
Crowd control police blocked access to the area and asked protesters to disperse.
Around 5:40 p.m., riot police officers used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to push demonstrators out.
Police and protesters also clashed at the Rachaprarop intersection.
Pol Maj Gen Piya Tavichai, Metropolitan Police Office’s deputy commissioner, said yesterday evening that protesters had attacked the police, adding that six officers had been injured in the clash.
