Violence erupted in the streets of Bangkok, Thailand after anti-government protesters tried to disrupt the government's planning for the February 2014 election, according to MSN News.
The confrontation took place a day after the government extended a special security law by the two months, the report said.
The police fired teargas and rubber bullets at 500 anti-government protesters who are angry with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who decided to once again extend for two months a special security law.
Last month, the government issued the Internal Security Act, a law that allows the police to ban or disperse public gatherings, impose curfews, implement searches, and block routes. However, reports said that the police have sparingly used the law.
Paradorn Pattanathabutr, head of the country's National Security Council, said that the action of the police force was justified and that the government has not changed its policy.
"We have warned them and informed them every time before firing teargas," Paradorn told Reuters.
The confrontation led to seven protesters being taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The violence broke out when the police warned the protesters who gathered outside a Bangkok stadium to not enter the building. The warning was followed by shots of rubber bullets and teargas when the demonstrators tried to break down a fence. The Election Commission was at the stadium when the violence erupted. The Commission was processing the registration of candidates for the February election.
According to reports, the anti-government protesters were all prepared for clashes with the police. The last time violence between the police and protesters took place two weeks ago.
The protesters are led by Suthep Thaugsuban, the country's former deputy premier, who has vowed to disrupt the election and make sure Yingluck is ousted from power. Thaugsuban and his supporters were calling for an unelected "people's council" to govern the country before the elections in February takes place.
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