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Thousands of people joined Bangkok’s biggest protest since a 2014 coup on Saturday (Dec 14), after authorities in Thailand moved to ban a party that has rallied opposition to the government of former military ruler Prayut Chan-o-cha, Reuters reported.

The demonstration, called a day earlier by Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a 41-year-old billionaire, revived memories of the spasms of street protest that have roiled Bangkok periodically over the past two decades of turbulent politics.

As the news agency details, Mr Thanathorn has emerged as the most outspoken opponent of the government headed by Mr Prayut, 65, since an election in March that the opposition said were manipulated to favour the army.

Thailand’s election panel has asked the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Future Forward Party, accusing it of infringing laws governing political parties by accepting multi-million dollar loans from Mr Thanathorn. Last month, the Constitutional Court found Mr Thanathorn guilty of holding shares in a media company on the date his candidacy was registered for the election, disqualifying him as a member of parliament. Mr Thanathorn disputed the ruling.