Thailand's government says early elections will be held as planned on February 2, despite an opposition boycott and three days of anti-government protests in the capital.
The announcement followed a meeting between cabinet members and caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She said the government has no authority to postpone the vote, as the election commission had proposed.
Opposition protest leaders refused to attend the Wednesday meeting. They insist that no vote should be held until reforms are made and Mrs. Yingluck resigns.
Meanwhile, protesters marched in Bangkok for a third straight day, following overnight reports of small-scale violence.
Security officials say a man and woman suffered minor injuries in an early morning shooting near an upscale shopping district where the protesters have set up camp.
Authorities are also investigating a possible overnight attack on the home of prominent opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Police say a small explosive device, possibly a large firework, was thrown onto the property of Abhisit, causing minor damage to the roof. He was not home at the time and no one was injured.