Anti-government protesters defied heavy rain and police warnings to attend a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, today (September 19).<br /> <br />The event had been billed as one of the largest shows of anger this year towards the country's military government.<br /> <br />However, the washed-out demonstration was a damp show following monsoon downpours that kept many supporters at home.<br /> <br />A large police presence and warnings from the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that the event could risk causing a spike in Covid-19 cases also deterred activists, many of them students.<br /> <br />Police chiefs warned that the gathering was illegal as it had not sought permission but said those attending would not be arrested.<br /> <br />Those that did arrive at the event at the city's Thammasat University had to break through a locked gate to enter the campus. They wore raincoats and umbrellas to listen to leaders make anti-government messages from a stand.<br /><br />Some of the demonstrators waves a large rainbow LGBT flag before the march continued across the campus.<br /> <br />Food and water were also handed out by organisers. Opponents of the ruling military party, which seized power in a coup in 2014 and won elections in 2019, are critical of the army's strong-arm tactics to silence critics to maintain its grip on power.<br /> <br />Other complaints include a lack of transparency, economic equality and issues with the country's reputation for police and political country.
