Thousands of Thais have rallied in Bangkok for the second day to demand political reforms, defying an emergency decree banning such gatherings.

Police used water cannons to disperse the mostly young activists, who tried to push back with umbrellas. A few threw plastic water bottles.

Mass protests began by calling for the resignation of Mr Prayuth – a former army chief who seized power in a 2014 coup and was appointed premier after controversial elections last year.

Prayuth Chan-ocha, who had the all-important support of the military, was re-installed as prime minister. The pro-democracy Future Forward Party (FFP), with its charismatic leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, garnered the third-largest share of seats and was particularly popular with young, first-time voters.

But in February a court ruled the FFP had received a loan from Mr Thanathorn which was deemed a donation – making it illegal – and the party was forced to disband, prompting thousands of young Thais to join street protests.

There have also been questions over the king’s decision to take personal command of all military units based in Bangkok – a concentration of military power in royal hands unprecedented in modern Thailand.