A truck carrying pro-democracy protesters with a loudspeaker system moves through the crowd at an anti-government rally in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday, November 18.
In photos: Pro-democracy protests in Thailand
A truck carrying pro-democracy protesters with a loudspeaker system moves through the crowd at an anti-government rally in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday, November 18.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 12:06 PM EST, Wed November 18, 2020

Thousands of protesters have rallied in Thailand's capital in recent weeks, defying a government emergency decree aimed at quelling pro-democracy demonstrations that have gripped the country for months.

Student-led protests that have been ongoing across Thailand since July have escalated. Protesters are calling for a new constitution, the dissolution of parliament and resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Many are also calling for a true constitutional monarchy under a democratic system, including abolition of the lese majeste law and curbing the King's powers.

Pro-democracy protesters pose for photos next to the paint-splattered sign for the police headquarters in Bangkok on November 18.
Pro-democracy protesters pose for photos next to the paint-splattered sign for the police headquarters in Bangkok on November 18.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators use inflatable rubber ducks as shields to protect themselves from water cannons during a demonstration outside the parliament in Bangkok, as lawmakers debate constitutional changes, on November 17.
Demonstrators use inflatable rubber ducks as shields to protect themselves from water cannons during a demonstration outside the parliament in Bangkok, as lawmakers debate constitutional changes, on November 17.
Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
A pro-democracy protester and royalist supporter embrace and gesture to other protesters, during a rally in Bangkok on November 17.
A pro-democracy protester and royalist supporter embrace and gesture to other protesters, during a rally in Bangkok on November 17.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-democracy demonstrators attend an anti-government protest in Bangkok on October 18.
Pro-democracy demonstrators attend an anti-government protest in Bangkok on October 18.
Peeradon Ariyanukooltorn/Reuters
A pro-democracy protester jokingly uses a traffic cone as a loudpspeaker during an anti-government rally at Victory Monument in Bangkok on October 18.
A pro-democracy protester jokingly uses a traffic cone as a loudpspeaker during an anti-government rally at Victory Monument in Bangkok on October 18.
Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images
A protester waves Thailand's national flag as others shine their mobile phone lights on October 18.
A protester waves Thailand's national flag as others shine their mobile phone lights on October 18.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Protesters hold up posters of various activists during an anti-government rally at Victory Monument in Bangkok on October 18.
Protesters hold up posters of various activists during an anti-government rally at Victory Monument in Bangkok on October 18.
Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images
A protester covered in blue paint lies on a road during a protest in Udom Suk, in Bangkok's suburbs, on October 17.
A protester covered in blue paint lies on a road during a protest in Udom Suk, in Bangkok's suburbs, on October 17.
Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP
Pro-democracy protesters give the three-finger salute as a police bus passes at Wongwian Yai on October 17.
Pro-democracy protesters give the three-finger salute as a police bus passes at Wongwian Yai on October 17.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing ponchos are reflected in a puddle at Wongwian Yai in Bangkok on October 17, as they defy an emergency decree banning gatherings.
Demonstrators wearing ponchos are reflected in a puddle at Wongwian Yai in Bangkok on October 17, as they defy an emergency decree banning gatherings.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Police fire water cannons at pro-democracy protesters during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Friday, October 16.
Police fire water cannons at pro-democracy protesters during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Friday, October 16.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters face off against riot police on October 16.
Protesters face off against riot police on October 16.
Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-democracy protesters are blasted by police water cannons on October 16.
Pro-democracy protesters are blasted by police water cannons on October 16.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
A pro-democracy protester gives the three-finger salute after police fired water cannons during an anti-government rally .
A pro-democracy protester gives the three-finger salute after police fired water cannons during an anti-government rally .
Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters gather around a fellow pro-democracy activist to wash his face after police fired water cannons laced with pepper on October 16.
Protesters gather around a fellow pro-democracy activist to wash his face after police fired water cannons laced with pepper on October 16.
Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images
Activists for democracy gather at a main intersection during an anti-government rally in Bangkok, on October 16.
Activists for democracy gather at a main intersection during an anti-government rally in Bangkok, on October 16.
Mladan Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-democracy activist Bunkueanun "Francis" Paothong, center, comforts loved ones before he enters the Dusit Police Station on October 16, to answer charges of harming Thailand's Queen Suthida, two days after protesters nearly obstructed a royal motorcade.
Pro-democracy activist Bunkueanun "Francis" Paothong, center, comforts loved ones before he enters the Dusit Police Station on October 16, to answer charges of harming Thailand's Queen Suthida, two days after protesters nearly obstructed a royal motorcade.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
Motorists ride past riot police in Bangkok on October 15.
Motorists ride past riot police in Bangkok on October 15.
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Activists for democracy, from left, Panupong Jadnok, Arnon Nampha, and Parit Chiwarak, raise three-finger salutes on October 15.
Activists for democracy, from left, Panupong Jadnok, Arnon Nampha, and Parit Chiwarak, raise three-finger salutes on October 15.
Rapeephat Sitichailapa/AP
Protesters hold up the three-finger salute en masse on October 15.
Protesters hold up the three-finger salute en masse on October 15.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
A young pro-democracy protester talks with police during a demonstration in Bangkok on October 15.
A young pro-democracy protester talks with police during a demonstration in Bangkok on October 15.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters shine lights from their phones during a demonstration in Bangkok on October 15.
Protesters shine lights from their phones during a demonstration in Bangkok on October 15.
Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-democracy sitting atop a police vehicle give the three-finger salute, a reference to the Hunger Games movies, which has become a popular symbol of the protests.
Pro-democracy sitting atop a police vehicle give the three-finger salute, a reference to the Hunger Games movies, which has become a popular symbol of the protests.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
A policeman looks on from his booth in Bangkok on October 15.
A policeman looks on from his booth in Bangkok on October 15.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
A pro-democracy protester reacts as police try to detain him during a rally in Bangkok on October 15.
A pro-democracy protester reacts as police try to detain him during a rally in Bangkok on October 15.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
A pro-democracy protester holds up a sign during a rally on October 15.
A pro-democracy protester holds up a sign during a rally on October 15.
Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images
Police line up in front of pro-democracy protesters gathering for a rally on October 15.
Police line up in front of pro-democracy protesters gathering for a rally on October 15.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
A monk takes photos with his mobile phone as protesters give the three-finger salute on October 15.
A monk takes photos with his mobile phone as protesters give the three-finger salute on October 15.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters sleep in front of Government House in Bangkok during a demonstration on October 15.
Protesters sleep in front of Government House in Bangkok during a demonstration on October 15.
Rapeephat Sitichailapa/AP
Pro-democracy protesters gath outside the Government House in an anti-government rally on Wednesday, October 14.
Pro-democracy protesters gath outside the Government House in an anti-government rally on Wednesday, October 14.
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters occupy the historic Democracy monument in Bangkok on October 14. Thousands of anti-government protestors rallied near Government House on the anniversary of a 1973 popular uprising that led to the ousting of a military dictatorship.
Protesters occupy the historic Democracy monument in Bangkok on October 14. Thousands of anti-government protestors rallied near Government House on the anniversary of a 1973 popular uprising that led to the ousting of a military dictatorship.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
Thailand's Queen Suthida, center, and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, center-left, ride inside a royal motorcade as it drives past a pro-democracy rally on October 14.
Thailand's Queen Suthida, center, and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, center-left, ride inside a royal motorcade as it drives past a pro-democracy rally on October 14.
Teera Noisakran/AFP/Getty Images
Pro-democracy protesters march on October 14.
Pro-democracy protesters march on October 14.
Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP
Pro-democracy protesters march past a portrait of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn on October 14.
Pro-democracy protesters march past a portrait of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn on October 14.
Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP
A pro-democracy protester, right, and and a supporter of the monarchy, in yellow, exchange blows at a rally near the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on October 14.
A pro-democracy protester, right, and and a supporter of the monarchy, in yellow, exchange blows at a rally near the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on October 14.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
Blue paint, thrown during a demonstration by pro-democracy protesters, is seen splattered on a policeman, as he stand guards while waiting for the royal motorcade to pass, in Bangkok on October 13.
Blue paint, thrown during a demonstration by pro-democracy protesters, is seen splattered on a policeman, as he stand guards while waiting for the royal motorcade to pass, in Bangkok on October 13.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government protesters link hands as they take part in a pro-democracy rally on September 20.
Anti-government protesters link hands as they take part in a pro-democracy rally on September 20.
Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-government protesters led by activist Panupong "Mike" Jadnok, center, break through a gate at Thammasat University as they arrive for a pro-democracy rally on September 19.
Anti-government protesters led by activist Panupong "Mike" Jadnok, center, break through a gate at Thammasat University as they arrive for a pro-democracy rally on September 19.
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images
Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, 22, a student and one of the leaders of the pro-democracy movement, is allowed by police to read a 10-point manifesto on reforming the monarchy.
Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, 22, a student and one of the leaders of the pro-democracy movement, is allowed by police to read a 10-point manifesto on reforming the monarchy.
LightRocket/Getty Images
Protesters take part in a fun run during an anti-government rally in front of Democracy Monument in Bangkok on July 26.
Protesters take part in a fun run during an anti-government rally in front of Democracy Monument in Bangkok on July 26.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images