Mass rally in Bangkok draws tens of thousands in renewed bid to force prime minister's ouster

Thai anti-government protesters march Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party said it would boycott February's general election, deepening a political crisis as protesters called for another major rally Sunday to step up efforts to oust the government and force political reforms. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

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Thai anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban holds clenched fists during a march with his supporters in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party said it would boycott February's general election, deepening a political crisis as protesters called for another major rally Sunday to step up efforts to oust the government and force political reforms. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Thai anti-government protesters march cross Takin Bridge during a rally Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party said it would boycott February's general election, deepening a political crisis as protesters called for another major rally Sunday to step up efforts to oust the government and force political reforms.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Tens of thousands of protesters are marching through central Bangkok, paralyzing traffic and facing off with police outside the prime minister's residence in their latest mass rally against the government.

The crowds of protesters Sunday split into more than a dozen groups, including the one outside Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's home. Yingluck was not inside at the time.

The rally comes a day after Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party said it would boycott general elections called for Feb. 2, a move that appeared to have emboldened the protest movement after rallies that indicated its support was dwindling.

The Democrats' position reflects the stand taken by the protesters, who are demanding that Yingluck step down ahead of the elections, which she had called in an effort to defuse the political crisis.

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