反对派示威者争取民众支持“曼谷关闭”

Anti-government protesters marched through Bangkok Tuesday, rallying support for a larger demonstration next week they hope will shut down the capital and force the prime minister to resign.

One of the protesters, 27-year-old Naprapat Phrompipatpakdee, said she supports the opposition's call for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to hand over power to an unelected people's council.

The protesters, led by ex-Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, aim to paralyze the capital next Monday with mass demonstrations that will block main highways and prevent government offices from functioning.

Prime Minister Yingluck has dissolved parliament, called for early elections, and proposed the formation of a national reform council as a way to resolve the months-long political crisis.

But the opposition has said this is not enough, saying reforms must take place before elections, which analysts say the prime minister's ruling party is likely to win.