Going back on earlier promises, Thailand’s anti-government protesters blocked polling stations forcing the cancellation of day one of early voting in dozens of venues in the capital Bangkok and in several southern provinces.

The opposition protesters chained-shut the doors of some polling places, and surrounded others to block anyone from entering.  This was despite the pledge from protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban not to stop people from entering polling places.  On the opposition social media page, organizers claimed “supporters are simply protesting the advance polls held today by surrounding/standing in front of election units”.

Also, another opposition protest leader was shot dead in a clash with pro-government supporters in Bangkok’s east.  Suthin Taratin was struck by gunfire while he was speaking at a rally at a polling station where advanced voting was supposed to take place.

The election commission has called for the 2 February polls to be delayed because of the possibility of violence and disruptions caused by protesters.  The government is so far declining to do that.