Anarchists hurled smoked bombs during clashes with police in Bangkok, Thailand.

Crowds of demonstrators gathered at the Din Daeng intersection area of the capital before confrontations with riot police on Thursday night, September 9.

One of those attending was struck in the face and back. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken away in an ambulance.

Thailand’s protest movement erupted last year and stopped briefly at the height of the pandemic fear but has started again in recent weeks.

Organisers claim they are protesting peacefully for democratic reforms but demonstrations have regularly descended into violence, vandalism, attacks on police and chaos.

Government officials say the unrest is being funded by disaffected opposition, exiled politicians and extremist groups who encourage students to join the protests. They have cited evidence that social media bots are being used to provoke civil disobedience among impressionable youth – who could then face years in prison for getting involved with the anti-establishment rallies.

Officials have banned gatherings of more than five people and rolled out a 9pm curfew due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the laws have been ignored by the demonstrators.