This is the astonishing moment brave protesters defied strict lese-majeste laws to confront the Thai king and queen as they drove through crowds.

The couple were sitting in a white Rolls Royce in a royal motorcade as they cruised through Bangkok, Thailand, this afternoon amid a wave of demonstrations against the government.

Police and security forces battled to push back furious crowds as they made a three-finger democracy salute while shouting 'our taxes, our taxes' at the king.

The chant is a reference to the vast wealth of the king, who is said to live in luxury in Germany with a harem of beautiful women.

Thailand's lese-majeste laws shield the royal institution from any kind criticism and carry lengthy jail terms. Critics claim many opponents of the monarchy have mysteriously disappeared.

The astonishing scenes came on a day of protests that saw clashes between pro-democracy groups and supporters of the king, who was visiting Thailand to mark the fourth anniversary of his father's death.

Large crowds gathered at the Democracy Monument in the centre of the Thai capital as they call for political and social reforms. Crowds ripped up a flower bed put in place to discourage them from gathering on the statue, which has become a focal point for the movement.

There were also supporters of the royal institution - identifiable by their yellow t-shirts - holding a counter-rally at the same place.

The two groups confronted each other, with objects being thrown by the anti-establishment demonstrators. Scuffles broke out between the two rival groups before they were separated by police and security forces.

Bangkok police commander Phukphong Phongpetra appeared at the protest this morning to try and disperse the crowds. However, he was surrounded by demonstrators, with some of them throwing water at him while yelling insults.

Yesterday, the protesters clashed with the police and pelted them with blue paint as officers battled to clear the area ahead of a royal motorcade.

The country's monarch, King Rama 10 or Maha Vajiralongkorn, is taking part in ceremonies in Thailand to mark the fourth anniversary of the death of his father, King Rama 9 or Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Thailand protests began with calls for democracy but have grown into a movement now calling for reforms of the constitution and reforms of the monarchy, which is shielded from any kind of criticism by strict Lese-majeste laws.

The country's ruling military party have so far tolerated the demonstrations, which are limited to a handful of students and opposition activists.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has cited apparent evidence showing foreign influence and 'bots' stirring up unrest on social media.