Thailand 2 Feb 2014 elections

29 January 2014

Thailand to deploy 10 000 police for election

2014-01-29 10:40

Bangkok - Thailand's government will deploy 10 000 police in the capital for Sunday's election, which protesters have promised to disrupt as part of their drawn-out attempt to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The government decided on Tuesday to press ahead with the 2 February election, which the main opposition party plans to boycott.

"I ask Bangkok residents to come out and vote", labour minister Chalerm Yoobamrung told reporters on Wednesday.

"The police will take care of security. Those who are thinking of going and shutting polling stations in the morning should think twice because the police will not allow them to."

Protesters prevented early voting at many polling stations in Bangkok last Sunday.