In pictures: Bangkok 'shutdown'

Anti-government protesters with national flags take positions at a rally at Victory Monument on 13 January 2014

Protesters have begun blocking roads in what they are calling a shutdown of the Thai capital, Bangkok, as part of their campaign to oust the government.

Anti-government protesters block the road at a major intersections in Bangkok on 13 January 2014

The protesters want the government replaced with an unelected "people's council", claiming the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has used populist policies to buy the rural support that keeps it in power.

Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban (C) sings a song along with anti-government protesters as they march through the streets of Bangkok in a move to "shut down" the city on 13 January 2014

At the centre of the protests is Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister, who said on Sunday that protesters would refuse any proposals and negotiations, and that "in this fight", only one side would win.

Traffic is forced to a halt at Bangkok's Victory Monument as anti-government protesters block the street on 13 January 2014

The protesters say they will block major intersections in key parts of the city and surround ministries so the government cannot function.

An elevated train passes over an intersection that is being blocked by anti-government protesters in Bangkok on 13 January 2014

But they say they will not block the airport or the public transport system. The government has laid on extra trains to help keep the capital moving.

A helicopter flies over the central part of Bangkok on 13 January 2014

Some 18,000 security personnel have been deployed to keep order. Observers fear an escalation of violence could lead to another coup - something the military has refused to rule out.

Anti-government protesters block an intersection during a rally in Bangkok on 13 January 2014

At least eight people have died since the protests began in November. Seven people were injured when unidentified men fired on demonstrators in the capital over the weekend.

Anti-government protesters wave national flags as they block intersection during rally in Bangkok on 13 January 2014

The protests are the worst to hit Thailand since 2010, when more than 90 people - mostly civilian protesters - died during demonstrations against an administration led by the current opposition party.