Three distinct elements define the wave of protests rippling through Thailand this year. Most notably, the protests are an unprecedented and open agitation against King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the head of state and a figure of unparalleled influence in the nation. The demonstrations are largely unstructured, led by disparate groups but drawing participation from tens of thousands of people, especially the young. It is also noteworthy that the rallies are legal, having been allowed by the government; and that they have remained peaceful. The thrust of the demands is to seek a reform of the monarchy to make it truly titular, and to amend the military-backed Constitution - drawn up in 2017 and which helps ensconce in power Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, a former army chief who led a coup in 2014. The demonstrators also want fresh elections and have sought protection for government critics.

The King has maintained his silence while Mr Prayut has counselled patience - not rejecting the demands outright but seeking to delay them. A bid this week to amend the Constitution failed after Parliament abruptly delayed a vote that could have started the drafting process. Instead, lawmakers voted to form a committee to review draft amendments, pushing the process back by about a month. The tactics infuriated protesters who had massed outside Parliament and will likely fuel a general strike called for next month.