Thailand Opposition Protesters Launch Bangkok 'shutdown' Monday Jan 13,2014

Thailand opposition protesters launched their attempted "shutdown" of Bangkok on Monday Jan 13,2014 occupying key intersections in the capital in an escalation of their campaign to unseat Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thousands of flag-waving protesters, some wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Bangkok Shutdown", massed at strategic points in the city

The protesters have vowed to stop officials going to work and cut off power to key state offices as part of the shutdown efforts

The shutdown has sparked panic buying among some residents and the US embassy has advised stockpiling a two weeks' supply of food, water and medicine.

Authorities say they are ready to declare a state of emergency if there is fresh unrest, and roughly 20,000 police and soldiers will be deployed for security.

Police said there were 12 hospitals, 28 hotels, 24 schools and five fire stations within the areas affected by the planned shutdown.