MOTORISTS were warned to avoid the Victory Monument area today (August 11) as the Through the Sky protest group started their demonstration at  3.30 p.m. after which they intend to march to the First Infantry Regiment barracks on Vibhavadi Rangsit road within which is located the house of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, Thai Rath newspaper said.

The protesters, who had burnt some effigies on the road, were getting ready to march to their destination on foot at 4 p.m.

They had also scattered flyers with the text, “failed state, people dying,” on the road.

However at 3:47 p.m. crowd control police holding shields moved in but the protesters tried to push them back, with some throwing cans of spray paint at the police, who warned them to stop.

At 3:52 p.m. police charged at the protesters after announcing that they would be arrested immediately with several shots ringing out.

Read earlier reports: Update: Clash At Din Daeng After ‘Car Mob’ Protest Against Prayut Ended

In pictures: ‘Car mob’ protesters drive through the heart of Bangkok

 ‘Renegade’ upper-middle-class demonstrators join anti-Prayut street protest

Police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at anti-Prayut protesters again

In pictures: Police and protesters clash at Din Daeng junction

Earlier Pol. Maj. Gen. Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek,deputy chief of Metropolitan Police, advised motorists to stay at least three traffic lights away from this zone in keeping with the protest group having previously announced another “car mob” protest but are now instead marching to their destination.

Previously it was sufficient to close one intersection to traffic in handling a demonstration but with the vehicle procession three to four of them have to be shut with this having greater effect on the traffic.

Some traffic control points have been destroyed making it impossible to control signalling, he added.

The public can follow the traffic news by calling 1197 all 24 hours, or visit www.trafficpolice.go.th or Facebook.com/1197Callcenter

CAPTION:

Protesters are back on the street after hours of clashes with police last evening. Both photos: Thai Rath