Thailand opposition to boycott February elections

Following its en masse resignation from parliament, Thailand's main opposition party has announced it would boycott the February elections, deepening the country's uncertainty and political crisis.

Thailand has been besieged by widespread protests vowing to overthrow the administration of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of disgraced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was toppled in a military coup in 2006.

The Opposition's latest move is set to throw the country into a political turmoil and fuel a campaign the overthrow Shinawatra's government.

On 9 December, the Thai PM called an election to try and ease tensions but the opposition and demonstrators are planning mass protests across Bangkok on Sunday as part of a "people's coup" to force her out of politics.

The minority Democrats, Thailand's main opposition party, are aligned with anti-government protesters who have vowed to replace the government with an unelected "people's council."

Democrat party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut had previously said that his party can no longer work in the legislature because the body is no longer accepted by the people.

It has now unanimously agreed that their participation in the upcoming elections would legitimise a democratic system that has been distorted by those in power.

"Thai politics is at a failed stage," party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, a former prime minister, told reporters in announcing the decision not to run. "The Thai people have lost their faith in the democratic system.

However, the boycott adds to concerns that powerful forces allied with the Democrats will seek to block an eelection that will likely see the election of current prime minsiter's Puea Thai party.