Thai protesters rally after violent clashes

Thousands of democracy activists marched on Thailand's police headquarters in downtown Bangkok yesterday, a day after six people were shot during violent clashes. 

The kingdom has been rocked by months of protests demanding changes to the constitution, the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha -- and even changes to the untouchable monarchy.

Protesters -- numbering more than 10,000 according to an AFP estimate -- packed the Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok's shopping and commercial district, after their leaders vowed to step up the movement.

After daubing anti-royal slogans on walls and the ground they marched on the heavily-defended national police headquarters.

Some protesters threw glass bottles and paint bombs over the walls of police HQ, which was barricaded with dumper trucks, concrete blocks and razor wire, while others used water pistols to hurl paint inside the compound.

Wednesday's protest came a day after the most violent confrontations since the democracy movement began in July, as police used tear gas and irritant-laced water cannon on protesters trying to reach parliament, and democracy activists clashed with royalists. More than 50 people were injured, six of them with gunshot wounds, according to medical officials, though it is not clear who was responsible for the shooting.