Dozens of activists and students gathered peacefully in Bangkok early this morning to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the 1932 Siamese Revolution, which ended nearly 800 years of absolute monarchy, defying a ban on public gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.

They read out the People Party's first announcement which harshly criticizes the monarchy under King Rama 7. A large screen showed a hologram of revolutionary leader Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena giving the same speech 88 years ago. Similar gatherings took place in at least 12 provinces as well.

The current administration has been accused of burying the history of the revolution, a bloodless coup staged by Khana Ratsadon (the People's Party) that changed the country into a constitutional monarchy. And 24 June has emerged as a symbolic date for pro-democracy groups.

Police say they are monitoring protests as the whole country is still under a state of emergency.