Thai anarchists defied rising Covid-19 cases and a ban on mass gatherings as they protested against the establishment and clashed with police on Sunday evening (August 1).

Officers opened fire with rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters in the capital Bangkok injuring dozens of demonstrators – prompting accusations of police brutality.

Royal Thai Police spokesman Colonel Kritsana Pattanacharoen said the demonstrators violated the emergency decree and public health measures, which lead to riot police ‘controlling’ the crowd.

Protesters claim they are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha due to his ‘poor handling’ of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thailand has recorded 604,421 Covid-19 cases and 5,168 deaths as of August 2 – with cases rising dramatically throughout this month.