Anti-coup protesters hold march in rural Tachileik, Myanmar

Anti-coup protesters hold march in rural Tachileik, Myanmar

Thousands of protestors marched in front of a hospital in Tachileik, Myanmar, on Friday (February 12) to show their anger at the military coup.

Protestors holding placards shouted "Toyay," which means give freedom back to the people.

Police have barricaded the road so the protestors could not cross the road.

Protestors then sent a representative to negotiate with the police, spending five minutes to persuade the police to remove the barricade.

Myanmar protest marches have continued for eight consecutive days following the military coup with toppled well-liked leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.

The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate was ousted from power and detained by the army following a military coup on February 1.

In astonishing scenes, large crowds have taken to the streets to call for the civilian government to be restored.

Army chiefs reacted to the mass protests by closing Internet and phone connections across the capital on Saturday (February 6) shortly after 11 am local time before it was restored on Sunday (February 7) at around 3 pm local time.

They then blasted protesters with water cannon and fired warning gun shots earlier this week.

International pressure on Myanmar has grown, with U.S. Democrat politicians warning of sanctions on the country.

Joe Biden made the announcement at the White House on Wednesday.

Burma was governed by Britain from 1824 to 1948, during which time it became the second-wealthiest country in Southeast Asia but following independence was ruled by the military until 2011 when democratic reforms began.