Protesters held a rally for the fourth consecutive day of anti-government unrest in Bangkok, Thailand, today (October 16).

Crowds gathered in the Pathum Wan area after a previous planned location at the Ratchaprasong Intersection was closed by police.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered roads to be blocked around the area and warned a curfew could be imposed if protests escalate. Public transport on metro and sky trains in the area has also been closed.

Anti-government rallies stared on Tuesday and sparked clashes with police and security personnel the next day.

On Thursday morning, dozens of Thai protest leaders were arrested and refused bail.

Prime Minister Chan-o-cha has issued a 'State Of Severe Emergency' following the unprecedented unrest. The law bans gatherings of more than five people.

Thai anti-government and pro-democracy rallies and protests have grown since the start of the year. Activists have made sweeping demands including the resignation of the prime minister, constitutional changes and reform of the monarchy.

However, officials have claimed that a mixture of disaffected opposition, foreign influence and social media 'bots' are stirring up the unrest.