Footage shows thousands of protesters gathering in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday evening (October 14).

Demonstrators clashed with police and royal supporters earlier in the day before jeering crowds blocked a car carrying the Thai king and queen.

Protesters gathered throughout the night on roads around the government building but the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued a 'State Of Severe Emergency' at 4 am following the unprecedented unrest.

Security forces moved in shortly after, sparking violence as barriers were pushed over. Several protest leaders were seen being lead away in vans.

The scene unfolded following clashes between pro-democracy groups and supporters of the king, who was visiting Thailand to mark the fourth anniversary of his father's death.

In the latest Thailand protests, large crowds gathered at the Democracy Monument in the centre of the Thai capital as they called 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.

Onlookers claimed those in yellow shirts were actually soldiers or security personnel, shipped in by authorities.

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.

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

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 earlier this year 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.

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