Thai prime minister dissolves parliament

Thailand's prime minister has dissolved parliament and called for an early election in a bid to defuse a political crisis, following a wave of anti-government protests in Bangkok.

Yingluck Shinawatra said in a televised address on Monday that she wants to hold the election "as soon as possible".

But the leader of the protest movement, seeking to oust Yingluck, said he would not end his demonstrations despite the announcement.