Violent protests at Bangkok Stadium

Originally published on December 27th, 2013

Bangkok's Thai-Japanese sports complex was the site of clashes between riot police and Thai protesters opposed to the Thai government's plans to hold an election on February 2nd.

Protesters argue the government led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called the election disingenuously as the PM's party is widely tipped to win in yet another landslide victory.

On Thursday, election officials at the stadium were attempting to draw lots for election candidate slots when the clashes broke out. A truck reportedly tried to ram through the stadium gates. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets, but authorities said one officer was reportedly killed by live gunfire from the protesters. Scores of protesters were also injured.

Election officials finally fled the stadium by helicopter. They later called on the government to postpone the vote, but the government has previously said the date will not be moved.

Protesters say the PM is a puppet for her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who now lives in exile after being convicted of corruption. The opposition wants the PM to resign and have issued a list of other demands, all of which have been rejected by the government.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called an election for February 2nd after a first round of protests, but as the PM's party, Puea Thai, has won every election since 2001, the opposition says a new poll will solve nothing.

Urban areas in Thailand are more likely to support the opposition while rural areas overwhelmingly support the Puea Thai party.

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