{Thai police in the capital Bangkok have fired teargas at protesters trying to prevent political parties from registering for February’s elections.}<\/p>\n
About 500 protesters tried to storm a stadium where election commission officials were working.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called the snap elections after weeks of protests that demanded an unelected “people’s council” take power.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators say political reforms are needed before polls can take place.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the protesters – some of whom were throwing stones – tried to break into the stadium where the electoral commission was registering candidates.<\/p>\n
But police responded with tear gas, dispersing the crowd.<\/p>\n
There were no reports of serious injuries.<\/p>\n
Ms Yingluck dissolved parliament and called an election on 9 December, after more than 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets calling for her government to step down.<\/p>\n
Last Sunday, she said elections must take place and urged protesters to express their views at the ballot box.<\/p>\n
“If we don’t hold on to the democratic system, what should we hold on to?” <\/p>\n
The Pheu Thai Party won the last election in 2011, and has a majority in parliament. <\/p>\n
However, protesters say her brother – ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra – remains in charge.<\/p>\n
Mr Thaksin is currently in self-imposed exile after he was overthrown in a military army coup in 2006 and convicted of corruption.<\/p>\n
BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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