Thai democracy protesters to return to steets of Bangkok after six people shot with live rounds in violent clashes

Riot police walk behind barbed wire at Bangkok police headquarters

Credit: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

Thai democracy protesters will return to the streets of Bangkok Wednesday, a day after six people were shot with live rounds in violent clashes, as lawmakers vote on possible constitutional reforms.

On Tuesday in the most violent confrontations seen since the pro-democracy movement kicked off in July, police used tear gas and water cannon on demonstrators, and protesters clashed with royalists near parliament.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has urged protesters to refrain from violence, but ruled out introducing another emergency decree — like the one banning public gatherings of more than four people which spanned a week in October.

"No need. It affects the country stability and confidence. No-one will want to come or invest here because our confidence has been eroded," Prayut told reporters.

Some in the crowd were shot Tuesday night, but it was unclear who opened fire.

Bangkok police deputy commissioner Piya Tavichai said officers are investigating the shootings, which happened about 300 metres from the main protest zone.

He said one royalist supporter was shot in the hip and a pro-democracy protester in the leg.

"The rest of shooting victims are still under investigation, but the fact was both sides were shot and wounded," he told reporters Wednesday.

Bangkok has been rocked since July by youth-led rallies demanding a constitutional overhaul and the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who took power in a 2014 coup.

Some in the movement have also called for reforms to the monarchy — a once-taboo subject.