Rocks, tear gas fly as Thai protests heat up

12/25/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Thailand-Politics-18

    Thai anti-government protesters storm at the entrance to a sport gymnasium in an attempt to disrupt the election registration in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday proposed the formation of a national reform council tasked with finding solutions to the political turmoil that is splitting the country and paralyzing governance. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    • BANGKOK — Protesters seeking to disrupt preparations for elections in Thailand have clashed with police in the capital.

    The clashes on Thursday took place outside a sports stadium where candidates were gathering to draw lots for their position on polling papers.

    An Associated Press reporter at the scene said protesters tried to force their way into the stadium. Police fired rounds of tear gas, and protesters threw stones.

    The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down. They oppose the polls because Yingluck would likely win them.