Thousands of people participated in the biggest protest in Bangkok since the coup in 2014 after the Thai government banned the opposition party.

The protest today was held on the appeal of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 41-year-old billionaire and leader of the opposition New Future Party (FFP). A crowd of people spilled across the aisle near the MBK Center shopping district in the shopping district in Bangkok, chanting slogans for democracy.

The FFP said 10,000 people participated in the protest, while Thai authorities did not give an estimate. Police forces are deployed to ensure security but do not hinder the crowd.

"This is just the beginning. Today's event demonstrates the strength so others can join us in the future. Today is like a test. Prayuth, don't be afraid, the truth will take place on." next month, "Thanathorn mentioned Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to the crowd.

The 41-year-old billionaire has emerged as a rival to the Prayuth government since the election in March, when the opposition accused the voting results were manipulated to favor the pro-army Palang Pracharat party.

The Election Commission asked the Constitutional Court to disband the FFP, accusing it of violating the laws governing political parties by receiving millions of dollars in loans from Thanathorn.

Thailand's Constitutional Court last month announced the billionaire's removal from parliament after he was convicted of violating electoral laws for still owning a stake in media company V-Luck Media on registration day. run for. However, Thanathorn objected to the ruling, claiming he had sold all his stake in the company since January.

The FFP, founded by Thanathorn in March, is supported by millions of young people and becomes the third largest political group in Thailand. The FFP received more than 6.2 million votes in the March election, behind Prime Minister Prayuth's Palang Pracharat and the Pheu Thai party founded by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.