Protesters across Myanmar defied a new military ban on rallies and took to the streets Tuesday for a fourth straight day.

After watching hundreds of thousands of people rally in opposition to last week's state of emergency, General Min Aung Hlaing made a televised speech on Monday evening to justify seizing power.

His statement came as the military banned gatherings of more than five people in parts of Yangon, the nation's commercial capital, and other areas across the country where major rallies had erupted over the weekend and on Monday.

A night-time curfew was also imposed at the protest hotspot sites.

But on Tuesday morning, fresh protests emerged in various parts of Yangon, including near the headquarters of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who the military detained on day one of the coup.

The protesters carried anti-coup placards including "We want our leader", in reference to Suu Kyi, and "No dictatorship".

In San Chaung township -- where large gatherings were specifically banned -- scores of teachers marched on the main road, waving a defiant three-finger salute that has become the trademark sign of the protesters.

"We are not worried about their warning. That's why we came out today. We cannot accept their excuse of vote fraud. We do not want any military dictatorship," teacher Thein Win Soe told AFP.

Neighbouring Kamayut township -- another area where gatherings are banned -- had hundreds of protesters amass in defiance, singing songs and waving posters.

In the capital Naypyidaw, police repeatedly fired water cannon against a small crowd of protesters, who withstood the barrage and refused to retreat.

© AFP