Government is struggling to control unprecedented student-led pro-democracy movement

Wearing hard hats and dressed in black, thousands of people rallied in Bangkok on Sunday, using Hong Kong-inspired tactics to defy the authorities and demand that the prime minister resign and the power of the royal family be curbed.

The government is struggling to control an unprecedented student-led movement that began on university campuses and has since spread to streets across the country. Protesters have risked long jail sentences to breach the country’s ultimate taboo and call for reforms to the monarchy, demanding that the institution be answerable to the people. They also want wider democratic reforms including a new constitution.

Government declares ‘severe’ state of emergency in Bangkok with protest leaders arrested

Tens of thousands of people, including high-school students, gathered in Bangkok on Thursday, defying a ban announced as part of a crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

Thailand’s prime minister declared a “severe” state of emergency in the capital overnight, as police arrested more than 20 people, including prominent student leaders who have called for monarchy reform. By Thursday afternoon, crowds ignored the ban to assemble at one of the city’s busiest intersections, Ratchaprasong, where they chanted “release our friends” and called police “slaves of dictatorship”.

Vorayuth Yoovidhya faces fresh charges after public outrage led to further investigations

Interpol has issued a “red notice” to arrest the fugitive Thai heir to the Red Bull billions over his role in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Bangkok, police have said.

The move by the international police organisation is the latest in the years-long saga surrounding Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya who crashed his Ferrari in 2012, killing a police officer.