On Sunday, a big number of protesters in Thailand were confronted by the anti-riot police forces who used water cannons to disperse them after they had tried to approach Bangkok's Grand Palace to deliver letters about their political grievances addressed to the country's king.
The pro-democracy movement has been pushing a bold challenge to reform the country's monarchy with almost daily demonstrations.
The protesters pushed aside one of several buses that along with barbed wire was serving as a barrier to marchers trying to approach the palace, which houses the royal offices but is only used by King Maha Vajiralongkorn on infrequent ceremonial occasions.
The attempt to break through came after police had declared their march illegal and asked for protesters to send representatives to talk.
The protesters had met earlier at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument and marched as darkness fell, pushing past an initial thin line of police.
Protesters threw objects at police during the melee, but both sides backed off after a few minutes, and it appeared that order had been at least temporarily restored.
The water cannons were used by the police for just a short time, and it appeared that no one suffered any serious injuries.
“People just wanted to submit the letters. There was no sign of violence from protesters at all," said protester Thawatchai Tongsuk, 36. “If the police gave way, I believe that the leaders would have submitted the letters and then been finished. Everyone would go home.”
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