Thailand court set to delay February 2 election

A Thailand court is expected to rule on the fate of the controversial February 2 snap polls amid an escalation of political tension as protesters vowed to boycott the election to keep up pressure on Yingluck Shinwatra's government.

The Constitution Court unanimously agreed to take up the case on Friday forwarded by the Election Commission to rule who has the authority to postpone the election, the poll panel or the caretaker government headed by Yingluck.

Yingluck says the date, fixed by royal decree, is unchangeable and the government has no legal authority to postpone the ballot. She called the election after dissolving the lower house of Parliament in December to try to ease the crisis. She declared a 60-day state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas on Wednesday, hoping to prevent an escalation in the protests now in their third month.

Under the emergency decree, the caretaker government on Thursday banned public gatherings of five or more people and the distribution of news in a manner that threatened national security. People providing financial support to the protest movement might face legal action, as their identities were known, officials said.

Suthep Thaugsuban, an opposition politician leading the protests, has vowed to continue blockades of major Bangkok intersections that began on January 13 until Yingluck resigns.

Protesters wants an un-elected Peoples Council to be set up. Protesters have vowed to rid Thailand of the political dominance of the Shinawatra clan and alleged that Yingluck is controlled by her fugitive brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a coup in 2006. He lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai.

Thai Police said on Friday that they will ask the protesters to stop blocking some crucial flyovers to reduce traffic congestion plaguing the capital since the protests started, a senior police officer said here. Assistant Police Commissioner-General Ruangsak Jarit-ek said a team of officers would be sent to negotiate with People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders.

Meanwhile, Yingluck, who is also the defence minister, asked the Armed Forces to take good care of their weapons and ensure they would not be stolen during this time of high political tensions, said Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Defence Ministry.