Protesters fired homemade water rockets at police during clashes in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday afternoon September 29.

Footage shows the activists lining up in front of road block barricades in the centre of the Thai capital. Riot squads responded by blasting the demonstrators with water cannons from armoured trucks.

The clashes were the lastest flashpoint in the ongoing tension between the military government and a hardcore group of protesters that began organising regular rallies last year.

Demonstrations have resumed in recent months following a fall in the number of Covid-19 cases and loosening of restrictions. They are pushing for democratic reforms to the country’s political and social structure.

However, the Government officials say the unrest is not widely supported and is being funded by disaffected opposition, exiled politicians and extremist groups who encourage students to join the protests. They claim 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.