Hundreds of pro-democracy Thais rallied in Bangkok on Saturday to rail against the ruling junta with T-shirts, signs and speeches, as activists grow bolder in their defiance of a ban on protests. The military regime has kept a tight rein on dissent since its 2014 power grab by outlawing gatherings of more than five people and pursuing activists in the courts. Thailand’s next general election will be held by next February, the head of the military government said last month, pushing back this key step toward restoring democratic rule by as much as three months from his earlier promise. At least 42 prospective political parties have submitted registrations to Thailand’s Election Commission. There is a speculation that some parties are being established to support the military’s continued dominance over the government, according to the Associated Press.