Protesters gathered on Tuesday (January 26) demanded financial help for people affected by the COVID-19 economic downturn in Thailand.

Crowds formed outside the government house building in the capital Bangkok where they slammed ministers for an alleged lack of monetary support.

Demonstrators called for a greater amount of taxpayer funds to be allocated for relief for struggling families. They claim that bureaucratic hurdles and excessive paperwork are preventing people from applying for financial aid.

Thailand has recorded a relatively low 13,500 COVID-19 infections and 73 deaths but the impact on the tourism-dependent economy has been devastating.

Thailand’s Krungsri Bank forecasts that it will be up to three years before tourism returns to its pre-pandemic levels.