The protests have also increasingly been aimed Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, officially known as King Rama X, widely considered to the most wealthy monarch in the world, with estimates putting his fortune starting at $30 billion up to $43 billion.

It's highly risky to direct public criticism at the king, something rare in the country's politics, given harsh majeste laws on the books which can result in 15 years in prison for "insulting" the monarchy.

The Thai government declared a state of emergency starting Thursday after tens of thousands brought central Bangkok to a standstill this week, which included an incident where a royal motorcade seeking to pass was obstructed. Beyond the removal of the prime minister, protesters are demanding major reforms to the monarchy and a new constitution.