Thailand protests: Anti-government march in Bangkok
Protests in the Thai capital have brought government institutions to a standstill in recent months
Thousands
of anti-government protesters have resumed demonstrations in Thailand
demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
It was the first major protest rally to take place since a Thai court ruled the 2 February general election invalid.
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Thailand's troubles
- Sep 2006: Army ousts Thaksin Shinawatra
- Dec 2007: Pro-Thaksin party wins election
- Aug 2008: Thaksin flees Thailand
- Dec 2008: Huge anti-Thaksin protests; court bans ruling party; Abhisit Vejjajiva comes to power
- Mar-May 2010: Huge pro-Thaksin protests; dozens killed in army crackdown
- Jul 2011: Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of Thaksin, elected PM
- Nov 2013: Anti-government protests
- Dec 2013: Ms Yingluck calls election
- Jan 2014: Ms Yingluck declares state of emergency
- 2 Feb 2014: Election, with 90% of polling stations operating normally
- 21 Mar: Constitutional Court voids election
Until recently, Thailand had seen an ease in tensions since anti-government demonstrations began four months ago.
At the height of the demonstrations, which began in November, protesters shut down key road junctions in Bangkok and blockaded government ministries.
'Tens of thousands'
Saturday's demonstrators, led by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, marched from Bangkok's Lumpini Park along six different routes through the city centre.
''We want to tell the government that the people don't accept them anymore and the people really want reform of the country immediately,'' Mr Thaugsuban told reporters.
He warned the authorities against attempting to organise a re-run of the elections, saying any future poll would be boycotted.
The march comes a week after Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled the 2 February general election invalid.
The ruling party was expected to win the poll, but the opposition boycotted it and protesters disrupted voting, meaning the election has not been completed.
Saturday's demonstrations were led by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban (centre)
They accuse the Thai government of being run by Prime Minister Yingluck's brother and ousted former leader, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Ms Yingluck, who has dismissed calls to step down, is currently facing charges of negligence over a government rice subsidy scheme, which critics say was rife with corruption.
She is expected to submit her defence to the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday.
If found guilty, Ms Yingluck could be removed from office and face a five-year ban from politics.
At least 23 people have died and hundreds have been injured in the course of the recent demonstrations.
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