BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s party yesterday kicked off campaigning for February elections in the face of an opposition boycott and protester plans to “shut down” Bangkok in a bid to derail the vote.
The Puea Thai party launched its re-election bid with rallies in its northern heartlands and on the outskirts of the capital, which has been shaken by weeks of sometimes violent anti-government demonstrations that have left eight people dead and about 400 wounded.
“I am confident that the campaign will go smoothly -- we are not the ones triggering conflict,” said party leader Jarupong Ruangsuwan, adding that the party’s election slogan would urge people to vote to “preserve democracy.”
Yingluck called snap elections after coming under intense pressure from protesters vowing to rid the country of the influence of her brother -- controversial former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is widely believed to control her party from self-exile in Dubai.
Protesters plan to occupy Bangkok from January 13 in the run up to the poll, vowing to prevent government officials from going to work and to cut off power and water to official buildings.
They also plan several marches in the capital starting today to build momentum ahead of the occupation attempt.
As campaigning began yesterday, several thousand Puea Thai supporters gathered in a field on the outskirts of Bangkok, one of five party rally locations.
Yingluck’s government still enjoys strong support and would be expected to win.
But doubts remain over whether a government could be formed, even if the election proceeds. AFP
