Thailand woke up to relative calm on Thursday after anti-government protests over the past week left several dead and hundreds injured. The protesters, which have promised to overthrow the country’s government, took a break to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 86th birthday.

The demonstrations began to calm down on Tuesday when riot police took an unprecedented approach and cleared barbed wire, put down their shields and opened the doors to a police compound that was under threat of a siege, the New York Times reported. However, the demonstration’s de-facto leader Suthep Thaugsuban has called for the protests to continue.

“We cannot go home now,” Suthep told his supporters earlier this week. “We have to continue fighting.”

During a short speech to his people on Thursday, the king only alluded to the protests occurring in his country. The frail king could barely get through his short speech, the Times reported. “Our nation has always been in peace for a very long time because there is unity in our nation,” the king said. “Each of us performs our duties in a harmonious manner for the sake of our country.”

He continued, “Every Thai should realize this, and perform their given duties to benefit the broader public.”

During his 67 years of rule, the king has been able to intervene and stop several political standoffs. In 1973, the king sided with pro-democracy protesters against a military dictatorship, managing to stop an all-out bloodbath. A similar situation occurred in 1992 against the military-backed government.

Demonstrators have vowed to overthrow the government led by embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her politically powerful family. The prime minister’s brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is said to hold considerable power in the country despite being disposed of in 2006 by a military coup. Thaksin was accused of corruption and disrespect towards the king, The National Post reported.

Instead, protesters are hoping to install a king-appointed government of technocrats. However, the idea has been rejected in the past by the aging king, the Times reported.

The true scope of the protests cannot be known, but as of late Tuesday the demonstrations had left at least four dead and at least 256 injured. The demonstrations have been rife with violence as protesters attempt to occupy several government buildings. According to the Times, demonstrators have captured the Finance Ministry and a large government complex. They have also attempted to occupy other government buildings, such as the prime minister’s office.

Two videos shot by drone show chaos on the streets of Bangkok. In an interview with The Bangkok Post, Suthep said he would call demonstrations to restart on Friday, saying he would lead a “peaceful coup of the people.” The protest leader has been charged with rebellion and invasion of government property. A warrant for his arrest was issued on Monday.