Anti-government protesters in Bangkok blocked access to an election registration centre on Monday in an attempt to prevent candidates signing up for February’s snap election.
Despite this, some parties managed to register including caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s ruling party.
Election Commission member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn told reporters the process could be extended beyond Friday’s original closing date if not enough candidates had registered.
Police warned protesters they risked jail terms or stiff fines if they impeded the process.
As well as political reform, protesters want to wipe out the influence of Yingluck’s brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. He’s considered the power behind Yingluck, pulling the strings of the Thai government from his base in Dubai.
The head of the protest movement, Suthep Thaugsuban, has vowed to hound Yingluck “until she is dead or until she leaves.”
The protests continue to try and oust the Shinawatra dynasty that has dominated Thai politics since 2001.
Thailand's troubles
- Sept 2006: Army overthrows government of Thaksin Shinawatra, rewrites constitution
- Dec 2007: Pro-Thaksin People Power Party wins most votes in election
- Aug 2008: Mr Thaksin flees into self-imposed exile before end of corruption trial
- Dec 2008: Mass yellow-shirt protests paralyse Bangkok; Constitutional Court bans People Power Party; Abhisit Vejjajiva comes to power
- Mar-May 2010: Thousands of pro-Thaksin red shirts occupy parts of Bangkok; eventually cleared by army; dozens killed
- July 2011: Yingluck Shinawatra leads Pheu Thai party to general election win
- Nov 2013: Anti-government protesters begin street demonstrations
- Dec 2013: Opposition MPs resign; Ms Yingluck calls elections
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