Pro-democracy activists in Thailand defied a government ban on large gatherings and are again marching through the capital. The marches started on the anniversary of the overthrow of absolute monarchy.

At the gatherings Thursday protesters demanded that the government step down and the constitution be amended. Some protesters also called on the monarchy to become more accountable. The march was the first large protest in Bangkok following a three-month hiatus owing to a resurgence of Covid-19 and the jailing of activist leaders.

The government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha has been facing public criticism over its handling of the health crisis. His administration has been accused of failing to implement a proper recovery plan and of securing enough vaccines.

Thursday marked the 89th anniversary of the end of the nation's absolute monarchy. On the same day in 1932, a coalition of military and civil officials forced the country to transition into a parliamentary democracy. In recent years, the date has become a popular occasion for pro-democracy demonstrations in Thailand.

Authorities said more than 500 demonstrators participated in the march. The protesters gathered in Bangkok's Democracy Monument before marching toward parliament, where politicians were voting on several proposed constitutional amendments.

"We come out to insist on the principle that the constitution must come from the people," one of the protest leaders said.

Unlike previous protests, the march Thursday ended without incident. Demonstrators dispersed peacefully after 8 p.m. local time after listening to speeches at an elevated walkway near a shopping mall in central Bangkok.

Protests in Thailand intensified last year after the military implemented a campaign to increase their influence in the government. The army overthrew the elected government in 2014. Prayuth, the coup leader, was named prime minister in 2019 after a general election.

Since then, pro-democracy activists have focused on the growing power of Prayuth and the monarchy, including accusations that the king and his family are holding too much power and influence beyond those allowed under the constitution.

"The discussion of reforms, including the monarchy, must be continued because if we stop demanding, we will never get it. As long as Prayuth Chan-Ocha remains prime minister, reform of the monarchy remains impossible," a protest leader said.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uy96oFqj5M4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>