Thousands attend Bangkok protest demanding reform of Thai monarchy

Pro-democracy protesters wave a flag and hold up lights during a protest at Sanam Luang in Bangkok (Wason Wanichakorn/AP)

Thousands of demonstrators have defied police warnings and occupied a historic field in Thailand’s capital to support the demands of a student-led protest movement for new elections and reform of the monarchy.

A fiery late-night speech with harsh criticisms of the royal institution set the crowd in Bangkok abuzz, as though the country has a harsh law that mandates a three to 15-year prison term for defaming the monarchy.