Protesters seeking to disrupt preparations for elections in Thailand have clashed with riot police in central Bangkok, on Thursday December 26th. Officers used tear gas canisters and rubber bullets against the protesters who were trying to force their way into a sports stadium where candidates were gathering to draw lots for their position on polling papers. The protestors, armed with sling shots, threw rocks and attempted to break through police lines. Inside the stadium, candidates for at least 27 parties took part in the lot-drawing process, which apparently went on unaffected despite the turmoil outside the gates.