Protesters stuck hundreds of democracy plaques on the gates outside the parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday evening (September 24).

The small gold circle inscribed with a 'power to the people' message has become a symbol of the anti-government and anti-monarchy movement after activists cemented one at the Royal Field in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok on September 19.

Police removed the plaque but it has now become a symbol of the movement. During the latest of the Thailand protests outside Parliament House, supporters stuck the plaques on the metal gates and on the ground outside the building.

Earlier in the day, protesters mocked the Thai king with crop tops while spraying a democracy plaque outside the Thai parliament.

One demonstrator wore a white crop top similar to the bizarre style of clothing worn in public by the country's notorious king, who has a consort and harem of women. There was also a cardboard cut-out caricature of the monarch wearing a crop-top.

The rallies were over a vote in parliament on a whether to propose to change the constitution, which was effectively quashed.

They came on the same day that King Maha Vajiralongkorn arrived in Thailand for a brief visit from Europe to mark Prince Mahidol Day. Strict lese-majeste laws make criticism of the monarchy illegal, with offenders facing lengthy jail terms.

Officers prepared water cannon trucks to quell any violence or unrest during the daring protest. A democracy plaque was also sprayed in gold paint outside the Parliament House following the installation of a similar plaque at the weekend when thousands of protesters converged on the Sanum Luang royal field in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

The rallies marked one of the most direct confrontations against the country's monarchy ever seen. Dozens of protests 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.