国际英语新闻:Thai protesters stage overture rally

BANGKOK, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Thai anti-government protesters on Monday staged a warm-up rally in the capital Bangkok to mobilize people to join a mass rally planned on Saturday.

Led by secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee Suthep Thaugsuban, protesters departed from their main rally site at the Lumpini Park at 9:30 a.m. local time and returned after walking 5 km.

The upcoming rally on Saturday will be a call for a national reform before any new election, Suthep said after the Constitutional Court nullified the Feb. 2 general election on Friday.

Suthep has vowed to oppose any new election that precedes a national reform.

The pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, better known as "red shirts," is planning its own mass rally on April 5, but has yet to announce the venue.

Members of the Election Commission met Monday to discuss preparations for a new general election. They are either expected to discuss the issue with the caretaker government or invite political parties to decide on a new election date.