Locals join protests in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand on Saturday (December 14) during national demonstrations against the country's military government.

The rallies came after opposition leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit faced having his surging 'Future Forward Party' dissolved.

Future Forward put in a strong show in the country's elections in March sparking fears among rulers that it could disrupt the country's rigid social structure based around the sacrosanct monarchy.

Last Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to stifle the threat to the ruling military party, the country's Election Commission ruled that Thanathorn broke election rules by loaning money to his party and said it would put forward a case to have the Future Forward group dissolved.

In response, thousands of Thanathorn's supporters gathered in Bangkok where the millionaire leader demanded that military supremo, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, resign as prime minister.