Thai anti-government protesters, royalists put up rival show of force in Bangkok

Anti-government protesters and royalist supporters staged rival shows of force in Bangkok on Oct 14. Both sides traded punches and threw plastic bottles as the police tried to keep them apart. The standoff began after several hundred protesters gathered at the Democracy Monument, demanding a new constitution, the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and the reformation of the Thai monarchy. Political tension in Thailand has been growing after three months of protests. There are fears that there might be a return of the street violence that preceded a military coup in 2014.