Officials Call For Delay In Thailand Election Following Violence

09:09

December 26, 2013

Thai anti-government protesters run from tear gas during a rally at a stadium to register party-list candidates in Bangkok. (AFP/Getty Images) — Thai anti-government protesters run from tear gas during a protest to disrupt elections in Bangkok. (AFP/Getty Images)

Thailand's election commission is calling for upcoming elections to be delayed after street battles between security forces and protesters resulted in the death of a police officer and injured nearly 100 people.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wants the Feb. 2 elections to take place as scheduled, believing she can win and renew her mandate. The street violence adds pressure to take a tougher line against the protesters, risking more chaos and possible intervention by the army.

BBC reporter Jonathan Head joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson to discuss the anti-government demonstrations in Thailand.

BBC: Thailand protests: Yingluck government rejects election delay

Associated Press contributed to reporting for this article.

Guest

Jonathan Head, Southeast Asia correspondent for the BBC. He tweets @pakhead.

This segment aired on December 26, 2013.