Thai Protesters Block Poll Registration Stadium Monday Dec 23,2013

Anti-government demonstrators in Thailand have surrounded the stadium where candidates were due to register to stand on February 02,2014 elections

On Sunday Dec 22,2013, tens of thousands took to the streets of Bangkok, calling on the government to step down.At least 150,000 people joined the latest anti-Thaksin mass protest in the capital on Sunday, according to an estimate from National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut. Organisers said the turnout was much higher

Ratchaprasong intersection, one of several areas in Bangkok occupied by anti-government protesters on Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 is jam-packed.

Thai anti-government protesters march cross Takin Bridge during a rally on Dec. 22 in Bangkok.

 

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was previously a senior Democrat Party politician, said on Sunday: "We disagree with the election. We want the country to be reformed before the election."
He urged protesters to gather outside Bangkok's Thai-Japanese stadium, where candidate registrations were set to take place, on Monday Dec 23,2013

"If you want to apply for candidacy, you must walk past our feet first," he said.

Hundreds of demonstrators on Monday Dec 23,2013 surrounded a stadium in Bangkok where representatives of political parties were trying to register to run in the polls ahead of the December 27 deadline.
Nine parties managed to enter although officials were unable to fully complete their registration, Election Commission official Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said

Thailand's Troubles

• Sept 2006: Army overthrows government of Thaksin Shinawatra, rewrites constitution
• Dec 2007: Pro-Thaksin People Power Party wins most votes in election
• Aug 2008: Mr Thaksin flees into self-imposed exile before end of corruption trial
• Dec 2008: Mass yellow-shirt protests paralyse Bangkok; Constitutional Court bans People Power Party; Abhisit Vejjajiva comes to power
• Mar-May 2010: Thousands of pro-Thaksin red shirts occupy parts of Bangkok; eventually cleared by army; dozens killed
• July 2011: Yingluck Shinawatra leads Pheu Thai party to general election win
• Nov 2013: Anti-government protesters begin street demonstrations
• Dec 2013: Opposition MPs resign; Ms Yingluck calls elections

Note

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved parliament and called an election on Dec 9,2013 after more than 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets calling for her government to step down.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who called the polls in December try to end the rallies, urged protesters to respect the "democratic system"

The main opposition Democrat Party has said it would boycott 2014 February's elections

Prime Minister Yingluck Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party won the last election in 2011, and has a majority in parliament. However protesters say her brother - ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra - remains in charge.'s Pheu Thai Party won the last election in 2011, and has a majority in parliament. However protesters say her brother - ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra - remains in charge.

Thaksin Shinawatra is currently in self-imposed exile after he was overthrown in a military army coup in 2006 and convicted of corruption

The protesters also accuse the Pheu Thai Party of using public funds irresponsibly to secure votes.