This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/global/2013/dec/26/thailand-police-battle-protesters-disrupt-elections

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Thailand police battle protesters trying to disrupt elections Thailand: election commission urges poll delay after violent clashes
(about 3 hours later)
Protesters trying to halt preparations for elections fought running battles with police in the Thai capital on Thursday, as the country's festering political crisis again flared into violence. Thailand's election commission has urged the government to delay polls scheduled for 2 February.
Officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets towards protesters trying to force their way into a sports stadium where candidates were gathering to draw lots for their position on polling papers. The announcement on Thursday followed seven hours of violent protests outside a sports stadium being used by candidates to draw lots for their position on polling papers for the vote.
The demonstrators, some armed with slingshots, threw rocks and attempted to break through police lines. The call by the commission will add to the political uncertainty gripping the nation.
Inside the stadium, candidates for at least 27 parties took part in the lot-drawing process, which apparently went on unaffected despite the turmoil outside the gates. In a statement, the commission said it was urging the government to consider "postponing the elections", citing the lack of "peace" between the government and protesters.
The protesters fought running battles with police in the Thai capital on Thursday, as the country's festering political crisis again flared into violence.
Officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets towards demonstrators trying to force their way into the stadium.
The demonstrators, some armed with slingshots, threw rocks and attempted to break through police lines. Inside the stadium, candidates for at least 27 parties took part in the lot-drawing process, which apparently went on unaffected despite the turmoil outside the gates.
Three officers were injured, said police Colonel Anucha Romyanan. He urged the demonstrators to assemble peacefully and said "attempts are being made to escalate the political situation by causing violence".Three officers were injured, said police Colonel Anucha Romyanan. He urged the demonstrators to assemble peacefully and said "attempts are being made to escalate the political situation by causing violence".
It was unclear how many protesters were hurt in the clashes, which were contained to the area around the stadium. It was the first violent incident in nearly two weeks of daily protests on the streets of Bangkok.It was unclear how many protesters were hurt in the clashes, which were contained to the area around the stadium. It was the first violent incident in nearly two weeks of daily protests on the streets of Bangkok.
The protesters have been demanding since mid-October that prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down, and street unrest has occasionally broken out. They oppose the polls scheduled for 2 February – which the main opposition is boycotting – because Yingluck is seen as sure to win them.The protesters have been demanding since mid-October that prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down, and street unrest has occasionally broken out. They oppose the polls scheduled for 2 February – which the main opposition is boycotting – because Yingluck is seen as sure to win them.
Police have largely shown restraint and have made no move to arrest the protest ringleader, Suthep Thaugsuban, who is demanding the country be led by an unelected council until reforms can be implemented.Police have largely shown restraint and have made no move to arrest the protest ringleader, Suthep Thaugsuban, who is demanding the country be led by an unelected council until reforms can be implemented.
Thailand has been wracked by political conflict since Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled by a 2006 military coup. The protesters accuse Yingluck of being a proxy for Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail time for a corruption conviction but still wields influence in the country.Thailand has been wracked by political conflict since Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled by a 2006 military coup. The protesters accuse Yingluck of being a proxy for Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail time for a corruption conviction but still wields influence in the country.
On Wednesday, Yingluck announced a proposal for a national reform council to come up with a compromise to the crisis, but it was rejected by the protesters. They now plan more civil disobedience and street protests in a bid to provoke such chaos that Yingluck will be forced to resign as caretaker.On Wednesday, Yingluck announced a proposal for a national reform council to come up with a compromise to the crisis, but it was rejected by the protesters. They now plan more civil disobedience and street protests in a bid to provoke such chaos that Yingluck will be forced to resign as caretaker.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.