Bangkok clashes
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) called for a February poll to be postponed on Thursday after bloody clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters seeking to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and scuttle the ballot.
- Thai anti government protesters clash with riot policemen during a rally at a stadium to register party-list candidates in Bangkok on December 26, 2013. Thai police fired tear gas as violent clashes broke out with opposition protesters who stormed a sports stadium in the capital to try to prevent political parties registering for elections. (Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty Images)
- Riot policemen carry an injured colleague after clashes with anti-government protesters near the Thai-Japan youth stadium in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom)
- An anti-government protester (top, L) waves his knife as they attack the Thai-Japan youth stadium during clashes with policemen in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
- Riot policemen escort an anti-government protester during clashes at the Thai-Japan youth stadium in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
- Riot policemen escort an anti-government protester during clashes at the Thai-Japan youth stadium in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
- Riot policemen cover their faces with wet handkerchiefs as anti-government protesters throw back tear gas canisters during clashes near the Thai-Japan youth stadium in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
- Anti-government protesters gather as they block Vibhavadi Rangsit road after clashes with riot police in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
- Anti-government protesters gather outside the house of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during a rally in Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS/Kerek Wongsa)
- Riot policemen hit a pick up truck belonging to anti-government protesters during a clashes outside the Thai-Japan youth stadium in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS)
- A riot policeman hits a motorcycle belonging to an anti-government protester during a clashes outside the Thai-Japan youth stadium in central Bangkok December 26, 2013. Thai police fired teargas at anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok on Thursday after demonstrators tried to disrupt planning for a February election, the first such incident in nearly two weeks. (REUTERS)
- A policeman lies injured from a gunshot wound to the chest after police come under fire at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. The policeman later died of his injuries. Several thousand anti-government protesters clashed with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- Thai anti government protesters carry a able as they clash with riot policemen during a rally at a stadium to register party-list candidates in Bangkok on December 26, 2013. Thai police fired tear gas as violent clashes broke out with opposition protesters who stormed a sports stadium in the capital to try to prevent political parties registering for elections. (Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty Images)
- Anti-government protesters retreat after police fire tear gas and rubber bullets during a violent protest at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. One policeman died of a gunshot wound and nearly one hundred people were injured during the clashes, including protesters, police and media. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- Anti-government protesters retreat after police fire tear gas and rubber bullets during a violent protest at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. One policeman died of a gunshot wound and nearly one hundred people were injured during the clashes, including protesters, police and media. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- An anti-government protester shouts slogans into a loud hailer while taking part in a violent protest at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. One policeman died of a gunshot wound, and nearly one hundred people were injured during the clashes, including protesters, police and media. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- Anti-government protesters stand beside a large portrait of the Thai king while taking part in a violent protest at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. One policeman died of a gunshot wound, and nearly one hundred people were injured during the clashes, including protesters, police and media. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- An anti-government protesters overcome by tear gas has his eyes rinsed with saline during a violent protest at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. One policeman died of a gunshot wound, while nearly one hundred people were injured during the clashes, including protesters, police and media. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- An anti-government protester readies a slingshot during clashes with police at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. One policeman died of a gunshot wound, while nearly one hundred people were injured during the clashes, including protesters, police and media. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- An anti-government protesters armed with a batton and riot shield takes part in violent protest at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. One policeman died of a gunshot wound, while nearly one hundred people were injured during the clashes, including protesters, police and media. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- An anti-government protester prepares to hit a police vehicle with a batton during clashes with police at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. One policeman died of gunshot injuries during the clashes. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- An anti-government protester is showered with broken glass after using a batton to hit a police vehicle during clashes with police at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. One policeman died of gunshot injuries during the clashes. Several thousand anti-government protesters fought with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)
- Policemen react after coming under gunshot fire at a sports stadium where the Thai Election Commission is registering candidates for Thailand’s upcoming poll on December 26, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. One policeman died of gunshot injuries. Several thousand anti-government protesters clashed with police guarding the election registration venue. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and waters canons, while gunfire was heard on several occasions from both sides of the police line. Protesters demand that the election be called off and an appointed government takes power until political reforms have taken place. (Rufus Cox/Getty Images)