Bangkok: Protesters cut off electricity to the prime minister's office compound on Thursday and demanded that police abandon the premises, piling fresh pressure on Thailand's government in a political crisis that has dragged on for weeks.
The protesters, seeking to force the replacement of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government before Feb. 2 elections, have threatened to force their way in if police don't leave. Police attempts to negotiate were rebuffed, but they did not withdraw immediately.
An Associated Press photographer inside one of the buildings said electricity had been shut off to the press office.
Police confirmed that power had been cut to some buildings in the compound, collectively called Government House.
Yingluck was not in her offices at the time and shortly afterward gave a televised address from an unidentified location in which she announced a meeting Sunday of representatives of all sections of society to try to find a solution to the crisis.
The protest leadership has demanded a meeting with senior military and police officials, a call which has so far been rejected, at least publicly.
