Anti-government protests see scuffles with police in Bangkok, Thailand

Angry protesters gathered in Bangkok July 18 in a rally against the Thai military government.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Democracy Monument in the capital chanting Get Out towards the regime lead by General Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

They were angry at the lack of transparency, accountability and democracy in the country - tensions that have built over several years since the controversial military leadership seized power following a coup in 2014 and won an election in 2019.

There were some scuffles as police battled to contain the crowd with metal barriers but they were quickly calmed down.

Many of the protesters held up a three finger salute - adapted from the Hunger Games movie - and wore black shirts as a sign of mourning for democracy.

There were then several speakers.

Later in the evening they held up mobile phone lights in a show of solidarity against the regime before being dispersed by police shortly before midnight.

Leaders vowed to stage further rallies in the coming weeks - in defiance of the country's Covid-19 coronavirus ban on large gatherings.