About 300 Myanmar protesters demonstrated outside the UN office in Bangkok on Sunday against the coup in their country before a video clip showed they were dispersed by riot police.
Police estimated about 300 Myanmar nationals, including workers, students, businessmen and businesswomen, gathered on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue outside the office of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific around 11am.
But iLaw, who received messages from observers at the rally, said the number of the protesters was probably double the police figure.
The demonstrators shouted slogans against the coup and demanded the immediate release of National League for Democracy Party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was comfortably elected.
Many flashed a three-finger salute and carried banners to show support for the elected leader and condemn the power seizure by the Myanmar army.
Metropolitan Police Bureau police used panels to keep demonstrators on the pedestrian paths to avoid traffic disruption and a group of riot police were deployed outside the UN compound.
The protesters were ordered to end the protest around 2pm as it violated a ban on public gatherings that could cause the spread of Covid-19.
Many protesters decided to end the rally — although it was scheduled to run until 4pm — and riot police started to clear the area for traffic.
The Myanmar military seized power on Monday and declared a state of emergency for one year.
A rally against the coup outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok on Monday was dispersed by riot police, after which three Thai activists were arrested.
Protesters in Myanmar held a big rally on Saturday and again on Sunday.
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