Anti-government protesters held a ‘car mob’ rally in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, on Sunday (August 8).

The movement calling for political and social change had stuttered due to rising numbers of Covid-19 cases and a law banning more than five people from gathering.

However, unrest has erupted again in recent weeks with activists complaining about the government’s handling of the pandemic.

Hundreds of drivers gathered at the rally in the large northern city where they honked their horns and waved banners. There were similar scenes across the country and in the capital Bangkok where anarchists attacked police vehicles.

Anger at the government – which seized power with a military coup in 2014 – has grown in recent years sparking mass protests fuelled by disaffected opposition, exiled politicians, students and extremist youth groups. They are calling for the prime minister to resign and a new constitution to be created claiming to want ‘more democracy’.

Thailand has recorded 776,108 Covid-19 cases and 6,353 deaths as of August 8 – with cases rising dramatically since April.

Travel bans and a 9pm curfew have been rolled out in the worst-hit regions and gatherings of more than five people have been outlawed.