At 10.40am, protesters began to stream out of Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus towards Government House in a bid to pressure the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to commit to an early election and loosening of army control.
Police were seen dragging out barricades to prevent protesters proceeding along the road. Protest leader Rangsiman Rome said protesters would march on the road, but occupy only one lane and try not to block traffic.
Earlier, police and protestors engaged in a loudspeaker war at the universeity campus where protesters had camped overnight.
Rangsiman Rome first said the police had allowed protesters to march to Government House, and then said negotiations had broken down.
The police broadcast warned that gatherings of five or more people for political purposes were prohibited, and protesters and unaccredited journalists faced arrest. Protesters broadcast defiant messages, saying “We are not afraid of you.”
