Thai cops fire water cannons at anti-monarchy protesters after they tried to force their way through parliament's razor wire barricades
- Riot police fired water cannon and used teargas against anti-government protesters in Bangkok
- Protesters tried to remove the coils of wire from the barricades and threw coloured smoke bombs at police
- The protesters are demanding changes to the constitution drawn up by Thailand's former junta as well reforms to the monarchy and the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Cahn-ocha
- Thai lawmakers today discussed the possible changes to the constitution in Parliament in Bangkok Thai riot police blasted protesters with water cannon and used teargas today, hurting several people in a bid to push back a demonstration at parliament demanding constitutional changes that would touch on the powerful monarchy.
Protesters are demanding changes to the constitution drawn up by Thailand's former junta. They also want the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army ruler, and reforms to curb the powers of the monarchy.
Police set up barricades outside parliament, where hundreds of royalists earlier demonstrated to call on lawmakers not to change the constitution.
Live television images showed water cannon being fired against an advance guard of anti-government protesters who arrived with helmets and masks and tried to cut their way through razor-wire barricades remove the coils of wire. Then they fired teargas at the hundreds of demonstrators. Protesters threw back coloured smoke bombs at police.
Ambulances ferried the injured to hospital. Bangkok's Erawan Medical Center said five people were hospitalised due to teargas and others were treated at the scene.
Thai riot police fired water cannon at protesters who tried to cut their way through razor wire barricades outside parliament in Bangkok today
Pro-democracy protestors link arms as police fire water cannon at them during a demonstration against a charter amendment at Parliament
A protester braces himself as he is fired with water by Thai police during the demonstrations today
Protesters are demanding changes to the constitution drawn up by Thailand's former junta. They also want the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army ruler, and reforms to curb the powers of the monarchy. Above, Thai police vehicles fire water cannons at the protesters during the demonstration.
A pro-democracy protesters, wearing a helmet and gas mask, runs as police fire tear gas and water at them
People help a woman who was exposed to tear gas by pouring milk over her face after police fired the substance to try and disperse protesters
Police set up barricades outside parliament, where hundreds of royalists earlier demonstrated to call on lawmakers not to change the constitution. Above, a protester runs for cover as police fire water cannon at protesters in Bangkok on Monday
Dozens of protesters are seen falling to floor as they are hit by water fired by police water cannons in Bangkok
Scores of protesters, most wearing helmets and face masks hold each other as they try and shield themselves from the water
A police vehicle can be seen firing water at the protesters who are taking cover behind the concrete barricade
Pro-democracy protesters run away as police allegedly fire tear gas as well as water cannon at them.
Scores of protesters wearing masks and helmets run away from police in a chaotic scene
A protester rinses his eyes as police fired water cannon as well as tear gas, reports said
Thai riot police kick away a smoke bomb thrown by protesters near the Parliament in Bangkok
A Thai riot police officer throws a smoke bomb back to pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok
A sea of riot police can be seen behind a barricade as they use water cannons to disperse protesters
'This is brutal,' said a 31-year-old volunteer with the FreeYouth protest group who gave his name as Oh. 'Dictator's lackeys!' the protest group posted on Twitter with pictures of the helmeted riot police using the water cannon.
Police declared that protests were banned within 50 metres of the area. Hundreds of protesters assembled nearby.
'Protesters tried to break through the barricades to enter the restricted area,' police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen told reporters.
Lawmakers were discussing several proposals for the way in which the constitution can be amended - some of which would exclude the possibility of changes to the way King Maha Vajiralongkorn's monarchy is treated under the constitution.
There is also discussion of the role of the Senate, which was entirely selected by Prayuth's former junta and helped ensure that he kept power with a parliamentary majority after a disputed election last year. Prayuth says the vote was fair.
Opposition parliamentarians have also called for changes to the constitution.
Pro-democracy protesters carry an injured fellow protester as police fire tear gas and water cannon at them
Live television images showed water cannon being fired against an advance guard of anti-government protesters who arrived with helmets and masks and tried to remove the coils of wire. Above, a protester reacts as he is hit by a water cannon.
A pro-democracy protester, wearing a hat, goggles and a mask, looks over the barricade set up by police near Parliament
Protesters lay on the ground as they recover from being hit by water cannons fired by Thai riot police
A man holds a blue umbrella as he looks over the barricade at scores of riot police
Pro-monarchy protesters clash with police during a pro-democracy rally earlier today
Scores of pro-democracy demonstrators are seen during an anti-government protest as lawmakers debate on constitution change
A Buddhist monk walks past riot police standing guard during an anti-government rally
Riot police hold their shields up as they stand in formation to protect themselves from smoke bombs thrown by protesters
A police officer pours water over his face after tear gas was thrown during an anti-government rally
Thai police officers stand guard at the barrier as protesters tried to force their way through to Parliament
Tear gas surrounds a police water cannon truck during an anti-government rally by pro-democracy protesters
Protests since July initially targeted Prayuth and constitutional change, but have since called for the monarch's role to be more clearly accountable under the constitution and for the reversal of changes that gave the current king personal control of the royal fortune and some army units.
'Amending the constitution is going to lead to the abolition of the monarchy,' royalist leader Warong Dechgitvigrom told reporters at the demonstration.
Protesters have said they do not intend to abolish the monarchy. (Additional reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Angus MacSwan)
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