Thai students protest against military junta after opposition party is banned
Thai students protest against military junta after opposition party is banned

Hundreds of students protested against Thailand's military junta last night (Feb 26) following the ban of the country's second-largest opposition party.

The youngsters gathered on the campus of the Thammasat University in Pathum Thani, close to central Bangkok, where they chanted pro-democracy slogans and lit up their mobile phones.

The demonstrations have so far only taken place in the 'safe spaces' of university grounds but should then spill out into public roads.

It could be a test of the military government's tolerance of political activism.

They banned protests when they took power via a military coup in 2014.

The rallies came amid growing unrest in the country, which culminated last Friday when a court dissolved the popular Future Forward Party.

The party, led by businessman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, had strong support from the country's young for its progressive, liberal policies and posed a threat to the country's status quo after coming third in recent elections with more than 60 seats.

Protests have taken place at universities around the country but the unrest has been limited to young people.