PROTESTERS have gathered in Bangkok for the most ambitious rally so far in a pro-democracy campaign that has shaken both the government and Thailand’s conservative establishment.

Organisers predicted as many as 50,000 people will show up and march over two days in an area of the capital historically associated with political protests.

An estimated 10,000 people

turned out for the last major rally held on August 16. This time, opposition political parties are expected to join and mobilise supporters from other provinces.

Demonstrators ignored a plea from prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday to cancel the event.

Chan-ocha said the protests risked spreading the coronavirus and derailing the recovery of the country’s battered economy.

The core demands declared by the protesters in July were the dissolution of parliament with fresh elections, a new constitution and an end to the intimidation of political activists.