Thousands of protesters occupy parts of the Finance Ministry in an effort to paralyze the government of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, dpa reported.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban led the march to the Budget Bureau in the ministry to force it to shut down. When officials refuse to negotiate, he and his followers enter the premises.
The government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, set up to handle the mounting anti-government protests in the capital, confirms the ministry has been partially occupied.
Employees leave after electricity cut off. Suthep, who faces criminal charges for entering government property, vows to spend the night with his followers at the ministry.