Anti-Democracy protesters returned in force to Bangkok are now vowing to disrupt the upcoming 2 February national elections, instead of merely boycotting the vote.  The protest leader ordered followers to physically block the ruling party building, as well as any smaller parties that register to take part in the Democratic process.

“If you want to register, you will have to walk past our feet,” said the main protest leader, Suthep Thaugsuban, before thousands of people.  “We will shut down the country; we will block everyone casting ballots.”

Suthep represents the educated and conservative upper class protesters of Bangkok, who feel threatened by the growing political power of the poorer, populous north of Thailand.  The north largely favors the government and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s ruling Pheu Thai party which brought healthcare to the region as well as other programs that help people.  Pheu Thai was already expected to which the snap elections, as it won the previous elections, as its predecessor party won elections in 2005 before being deposed by coup.

Yingluck’s supporters are the pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, also known as the Red Shirts. 

The group is watching whether “rebels stir up violence or intimidate the candidates,” said Tida Thawornseth, the chairwoman of the group.  “We will rise to fight only if there is a coup.”