Bangkok protesters clash with police at Thai-Japanese stadium

Thai riot police have fired teargas at protesters trying to prevent political parties from registering for February’s elections at Bangkok’s stadium.

About 500 protesters tried to storm Thai-Japanese stadium where election commission officials were working.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra called the snap elections after weeks of protests that demanded an unelected “people’s council” take power.

The demonstrators say political reforms are needed before polls can take place.

On Thursday, the protesters – some of whom were throwing stones – tried to break into the stadium where the electoral commission was registering candidates.

But police responded with tear gas, dispersing the crowd.

There were no reports of serious injuries.

Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved parliament and called an election on December 9th, after more than 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets calling for her government to step down.

Last Sunday, she said elections must take place and urged protesters to express their views at the ballot box.

“If we don’t hold on to the democratic system, what should we hold on to?”

Her Pheu Thai Party won the last election in 2011, and has a majority in parliament.

However, protesters say Yingluck Shinawatra’s brother – ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra – remains in charge.

Thaksin Shinawatra is currently in self-imposed exile after he was overthrown in a military army coup in 2006 and convicted of corruption.