(VOVworld) – Thailand's government has rejected calls to delay the national election scheduled for next February to ease the country’s escalating political conflict. In a televised speech, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said the government believes that a delay could result in more violence. Earlier, the national election committee, which has 5 members, suggested postponing the election until all political factions have settled their differences.


The French news agency AFP quoted a source as saying that a policeman had been shot dead in clashes between protestors and security forces in Bangkok. Violence broke out when protestors tried to enter a stadium in Bangkok where representatives of more than 30 political factions were registering for the upcoming February election.