Thailand's government says it will go ahead with an election this weekend despite an opposition boycott and months of street protests. The decision to hold Sunday's election will further inflame tensions and chances of violence.
Anti-government protesters occupying parts of Bangkok are demanding that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down before the election, and that she be replaced by a non-elected interim government that would remove her family's influence from politics.
An anti-government protester looks on during a rally in Bangkok ahead of Sunday's electionReutersRiot police officers stand guard inside the compound of the Thai Royal Police club in Bangkok. Thailand's government will deploy 10,000 police in the capital for Sunday's election, which protesters have promised to disrupt.ReutersAn anti-government protest leader and a Thai police officer eat lunch together on either side of a chain barrier during a rally at the entrance to the Army Club where Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was holding a cabinet meetingReutersA protester gives red roses to a Thai policeman at the Government house in BangkokReutersAn anti-government protester pours water over the hand of killed protest leader Suthin Tharatin during his funeral ceremony at a temple in BangkokReutersThe wife and daughter of killed anti-government protest leader Suthin Tharatin mourn next to his bodyReutersThailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra leaves the Army Club after meeting the Election CommissionReutersProtest leader Suthep Thaugsuban poses for a photo with his supporters as he leads a rally in BangkokReutersProtesters display their financial contributions to anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban's campaign as he approaches during a parade through the cityGettyA protester wearing a mask marches down a major street in BangkokGettyA supporter reacts to a speech by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban at a large city centre rallyGettyAnti-government protesters hold hands as they march down a major street in BangkokGettyAnti-government protesters hold placards during a march through Bangkok ahead of Sunday's election, which anti-government protesters say they will disrupt as part of their campaign to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.ReutersAnti-government protesters in body paint participate in a rally in BangkokReuters
