Thailand reported on Monday 11,784 new COVID-19 cases, the fourth consecutive day of record infections, as the country struggles to tackle its worst outbreak to date.
The Southeast Asian nation’s COVID-19 task force also announced 81 new deaths, bringing total fatalities to 3,422 and with 415,170 cases registered.
On Sunday, police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse protesters demanding the resignation of the prime minister over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Some protesters attacked police and eight police officers and at least one reporter were injured during the clashes, police said.
Police did not say if any protesters were injured, but said 13 protesters were arrested.
Protest organizers called for the demonstration to end just after 6 p.m. but a stand-off between the police and hundreds of protesters continued for several more hours before the police dispersed the crowd just before the start of a 9 p.m. curfew that is in force in the Thai capital.
More than 1,000 people had joined the demonstration.
Police intervened with force after some protesters tried to dismantle barbed wire and metal barricades set up by the authorities to block roads from Democracy Monument to Government House where the prime minister works.
Deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said the protesters attacked police with “ping-pong bombs, sling shots and fire crackers.”
He added that the police actions followed laws and regulations and fully complied with international standards in controlling crowds.
Street protests against the prime minister have been held in recent weeks by several groups as frustrations grow over the mounting coronavirus infections.
