Anti-government protesters in Thailand have begun demonstrations across the capital in a bid to bring the city to a standstill, a move they call "Bangkok Shutdown".
Protesters have blocked roads in key areas of Bangkok and set up camps in parts of the capital to stage sit-ins. The campaigners have also vowed to cut off power supply and prevent government officials from working, as part of the shutdown.
The government has deployed 18,000 security forces across the capital to avoid any untoward incident. The authorities are likely to declare a state of emergency if the situation worsens and have warned against any violence.
An anti-government protester waves a Thai national flag at the Victory Monument in Bangkok as thousands of anti-government protesters sought to parlayse Thailand's capital, stepping up pressure on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resignReutersAnti-government protesters cheer as they occupy a major intersection in central BangkokReutersProtest leader Suthep Thaugsuban waves to supporters as they leave to start their march from the Democracy MonumentReutersThousands of anti-government protesters march in central BangkokReutersSoldiers gather around Thai army tanks at a military base in Bangkok. The Royal Thai Army moved military hardware into Bangkok ahead of an exhibition for national Children's Day, according to the militaryReutersAn anti-government protester stands behind a barricade at a major intersection in the Thai capitalReutersRiot police officers showcase teargas and rubber bullets, the only type of weaponry authorities say will be used for crowd-control situationsReutersA Thai man joins anti-government protesters as they occupy parts of central BangkokReutersStudents cheer as thousands of anti-government protesters march past their school in BangkokReutersAn anti-government protester wears a mask in national colours as he joins others blocking a road in the capitalReutersA boy holds a candle as people form a peace sign during an anti-violence campaign in BangkokReutersA woman looks out of her tent after waking up in the anti-government protesters' encampment near the Democracy MonumentReutersBuddhist monks join anti-government protesters during a blockade of a major intersection in central BangkokReuters
