Thailand: Opposition holds mass rally in Bangkok

Thailand’s opposition is to hold a mass rally in the capital Bangkok as its campaign to bring down the government of Yingluck Shinawatra continues.

Protest leaders say they expect a turnout of hundreds of thousands of people.

On Saturday the main opposition Democrat Party said it will boycott elections called for February 2nd.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra called the election earlier this month in a bid to end weeks of protests.

Yingluck Shinawatra won the last elections in 2011, but protesters say her brother – the controversial ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra – remains in charge.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he hoped Sunday’s rally will raise the pressure on Yingluck Shinawatra and her government, the Bangkok Post reported.

The protesters have set up stages at five main intersections and will be attempting to shut down the traffic in the commercial heart of the capital.

The head of the Thai army has warned the country’s political divisions could “trigger a civil war”.

The opposition-backed protests in Bangkok have caused Thailand’s most serious political turmoil since 2010, with four people killed in clashes in recent weeks.