Bangkok: Pro-democracy demonstrators in Thailand held another rally in Bangkok on Saturday, undeterred by arrest warrants issued to protest leaders earlier in the week.
Hundreds of people, both on foot and in vehicles, took part in the march around the capital.
The protest movement's core demands are for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government to step down, the constitution to be amended to be more democratic and reforms to the monarchy to make it more accountable.
Their issue concerning the monarchy is the most controversial because the royal institution by law and tradition is virtually untouchable and regarded by many as the bedrock of national identity.
Read: Thailand PM urges protesters to give up confrontation
The military has declared defense of the monarchy to be among its foremost duties.
The protest leaders believe that King Maha Vajiralongkorn holds more power than is appropriate under a constitutional monarchy and have made that the centrepiece of their campaigning in recent weeks.
Although any criticism of the monarchy used to be taboo, speeches at the rallies - as well as signs and chants - include caustic words about the king and the palace.
In response, Thai authorities this past week escalated their legal battle against protest leaders, charging 12 of them with violating a harsh law against defaming the monarchy.
The lese majeste law carries a penalty of three to 15 years' imprisonment, but has not been used for the past three years.
There is concern that if the government feels it cannot control the protests, which show little sign of abating, it may impose martial law or be ousted by the army in a coup.
AP Report
