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Police in Thailand used water cannon again today against protesters to break up a demonstration at the national police headquarters, a day after clashes which left a young protester in a coma with a bullet lodged in his head.

Protesters gathered in central Bangkok for a third successive day to demand that the prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, resign amid rising anger over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. A record 239 Covid-related deaths were reported today.

“We are out here protesting but in return we get teargas and rubber bullets and a violent crackdown,” activist Songpon “Yajai” Sonthirak said at the protest, which saw clashes for the seventh time in the past 11 days. “We stressed that we are out here peacefully to express our disapproval of the government’s performance.”

Police spokesperson Kissana Phathanacharoen said protesters threw paint, ping-pong bombs, water bottles and other objects into the police headquarters. Reuters reported there were separate clashes near Prayuth’s residence.

“After repeated warning we needed to enforce the law by using high water-pressure that follows international standards,” Phathanacharoen said.

A man who attended yesterday’s protest was comatose after a gunshot wound to his neck, a hospital said, with an X-ray showing a bullet lodged close to his brain. The victim’s mother told local media her son was 15. Police said live ammunition was not used to disperse demonstrations. However, Human Rights Watch has condemned their response.

At least six people were left injured after the robust police response yesterday near Prayuth’s residence, Bangkok’s emergency services said. A medic working with protesters said a minor was struck by a bullet.

Local media have reported that Thai authorities responded to the renewed protests last week by rearresting eight prominent youth pro-democracy leaders. They are facing numerous charges including sedition and royal defamation.

Reuters also have an album of photos from the protests over the last week, which have continually been met with a stern, at times brutal, police response.