Unrest continues despite imposition of emergency measures

BANGKOK: Scores of Thai protesters gathered at a commercial district in central Bangkok last night in defiance of a ban on protests aimed at ending three months of antigovernment activity, witnesses said.

‘‘Release our friends,’’ the protesters chanted at police, referring to the arrest of about 40 protesters this week.

Police pushed the group back and used a loudspeaker to tell the protesters they would ‘‘proceed to the full extent of the law’’.

Thailand’s government yesterday banned protests and police arrested at least three protest leaders in the face of escalating demonstrations targeting King Maha Vajiralongkorn as well as Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha, a former junta leader.

Within 30 minutes of emergency orders, justified partly on the grounds of disturbing a royal motorcade, riot police drove away protesters who had camped outside Prayuth’s offices to demand his removal and a new constitution.

Police said they had arrested more than 20 people for refusing to cooperate with officers clearing the protest from the prime minister’s office.

Three months of protests have been largely peaceful, as was a march by tens of thousands of people on Wednesday. But in one incident, police pushed jeering protesters away from a motorcade carrying Queen Suthida.

That was used as a reason for the emergency measures, which include a ban on gatherings of five or more people.

‘‘What was done today is pushing Thailand to a breaking point,’’ opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said.

Police said they had arrested protest leaders Parit ‘‘Penguin’’ Chiwarak and rights lawyer Arnon Nampa.

Pictures on social media later showed student leader Panusaya ‘‘Rung’’ Sithi jirawattanakul being taken away in a wheelchair. She was arrested shortly after she had urged people to take part in a planned protest despite the emergency order.

The protest movement aims to remove Prayuth, saying he manipulated an election last year to keep hold of power. He says the election was fair.

Protesters also want a new constitution and have called for a reduction in the powers of the king.