ANKARA
Thailand's government has said elections planned for next month are going ahead despite weeks of demonstrations by opponents demanding the suspension of polls. Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has made the announcement after an overnight attack on anti-government protesters in Bangkok.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, police and troops deployed across the city have orders not to intervene against the protesters unless to prevent violence. Yingluck had offered to meet rivals to discuss an Election Commission proposal to delay the February 2 ballot.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and the opposition Democrat Party are refusing to take part, saying reform to get rid of corruption in politics must take place first.
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