Protesters have begun gathering in the Thai capital Bangkok, in what organisers hope will be the largest anti-government demonstration so far. The city has seen weeks of almost-daily rallies calling for the prime minister's resignation. Some are also urging reforms to the monarchy, despite the risk from the country's strict royal defamation laws. Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out for Saturday's student-led protests. The demonstrators plan a symbolic occupation of a park next to a grand palace used for royal ceremonies. A previous protest in August drew around 10,000 protesters, according to Thai police. However, organisers expect a higher turnout this weekend and police say 5,000 people have already gathered, according to Reuters news agency. The movement is demanding that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha - who took power in a 2014 coup and won disputed elections last year - stand down. The calls for royal reform are particularly sensitive, with criticism of the Thai monarchy punishable by long prison sentences. The AFP's correspondent in Bangkok Jonathan Head says a series of political scandals and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic have led to growing discontent in the country.