Thousands of anti-government protesters surround a stadium in Thailand, where candidates are due to register to stand in February's elections.

The demonstrators want to stop the elections, saying political reform is needed first.

(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) PROTESTER YUTHAPONG YAYEE SAYING:

"The reason (for blocking the entrance) is we want political reform first and an election later, to set new standards for the next election."

They say Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must resign because her government is controlled by her brother the ousted former leader Thaksin, accused of corruption.

But political parties began registering at a local police station instead.....Protesters responded by surrounding the police station as well.

The Election Commission said the week-long deadline could be extended if not enough candidates had registered.

Yingluck called a snap election in December to try to defuse the tension.

The main opposition Democrat P