Thai police form a barricade around the country's Grand Palace after protesters defied warnings and stormed the royal field today (September 19th).

Officers used metal barriers and water trucks to form a 'no protest zone' 150 metres in front of the historic building used by the monarchy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Demonstrators had earlier clashed with officers as they broke through a human barricade to encroach onto the sacred Sanam Luang field.

Sanam Luang is used for royal events and was closed to the public in 2012. Police warned demonstrators not to encroach on the land, which has historically been used as the royal cremation ground.

However, the furious mob said they would 'reclaim' the field, which is in front of the city's historic Grand Palace used by the monarchy.

The demonstrators said they were 'occupying' the land which 'belongs to the people' and they prepared to camp out on the field before resuming protest marches on Sunday.

The rallies started earlier in the morning at the city's Thammasat University, where activists and students broke a locked gate to enter.

Defying heavy rain and police warnings that the gathering was illegal, they then listened to a series of speakers and chanted.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that the event could risk causing a spike in Covid-19 cases but a hardcore number of demonstrators still arrived.

He said: "When you gather in mobs, you are creating an enormous risk of new infections. And with that, you also create an enormous risk to the livelihoods of tens of millions of fellow Thai citizens.''

Police chiefs warned that the gathering was illegal as it had not sought permission but said those attending would not be arrested. However, the activists defied the warnings.

Dozens of rallies have been held in recent months amid anger from activists. Opponents of the ruling military party, which seized power in a coup in 2014 and won elections in 2019, are critical of the army's strong-arm tactics to silence critics to maintain its grip on power.

Wide-ranging complaints include a lack of transparency, low levels of democracy, economic equality and issues with the country's reputation for police and political country.

Thai police form a barricade around the country's Grand Palace after protesters defied warnings and stormed the royal field today (September 19th).

Officers used metal barriers and water trucks to form a 'no protest zone' 150 metres in front of the historic building used by the monarchy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Demonstrators had earlier clashed with officers as they broke through a human barricade to encroach onto the sacred Sanam Luang field.

Sanam Luang is used for royal events and was closed to the public in 2012. Police warned demonstrators not to encroach on the land, which has historically been used as the royal cremation ground.

However, the furious mob said they would 'reclaim' the field, which is in front of the city's historic Grand Palace used by the monarchy.

The demonstrators said they were 'occupying' the land which 'belongs to the people' and they prepared to camp out on the field before resuming protest marches on Sunday.

The rallies started earlier in the morning at the city's Thammasat University, where activists and students broke a locked gate to enter.

Defying heavy rain and police warnings that the gathering was illegal, they then listened to a series of speakers and chanted.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that the event could risk causing a spike in Covid-19 cases but a hardcore number of demonstrators still arrived.

He said: "When you gather in mobs, you are creating an enormous risk of new infections. And with that, you also create an enormous risk to the livelihoods of tens of millions of fellow Thai citizens.''

Police chiefs warned that the gathering was illegal as it had not sought permission but said those attending would not be arrested. However, the activists defied the warnings.

Dozens of rallies have been held in recent months amid anger from activists. Opponents of the ruling military party, which seized power in a coup in 2014 and won elections in 2019, are critical of the army's strong-arm tactics to silence critics to maintain its grip on power.

Wide-ranging complaints include a lack of transparency, low levels of democracy, economic equality and issues with the country's reputation for police and political country.