Riot police fired tear gas at anti-government protesters during clashes in Bangkok, Thailand.

Police in Thailand have emphasized the necessity of retaining public safety by using force against protesters defying a ban against social gatherings.

Thai riot police on Saturday fired water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to repel a crowd of several hundred young anti-government protesters.

More than 100 Thai protesters have been charged with defaming Thailand’s monarchy since student-led pro-democracy protests kicked off in the country in July 2020, an advocacy group says.

Thailand reports a record number of coronavirus infections, while neighboring Malaysia has more than a million.

Thai police use rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon against protesters who took to the streets in the capital Bangkok to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and denounce government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

An explosion near the international airport of the capital city of Bangkok left a plastics factory in flames, killing at least one and wounding 27 others.