Protesters March Again in Bangkok

Anti-government protesters gather during a rally in central Bangkok, Jan. 5, 2014.

Thousands of opposition protesters in Thailand have again marched through Bangkok to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in a prelude to their planned shutdown of the capital next week.

The demonstrators marched through the capital city's historic district Sunday in an attempt to build support for the occupation, with similar action planned for Tuesday and Thursday. They plan to bring Bangkok to a halt on January 13.

Prime Minister Yingluck has dissolved parliament and called snap elections for February 2, but has refused to resign. The protesters have vowed to block the vote, which they fear will only return the Shinawatra clan to power.

The developments follow weeks of protests by people seeking to oust Yingluck. Demonstrators say her removal is necessary to purge the country of corruption and money politics.

Demonstrators view Yingluck as a puppet of her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin, a billionaire businessman, was ousted in a 2006 military coup. He was convicted of corruption and lives in self-imposed exile.