Ninety-nine elephants banned from Thai protest

Authorities in Thailand are preparing to stop 99 elephants and thousands of villagers from protesting against the possible dissolution of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s political party.

“The authorities are trying to convince the elephant owners not to bring their animals to Bangkok. We have to use all means to stop the elephants from joining the political rally,” said Lt. Gen. Prayuth Chanocha, commander of the 1st Army, which is responsible for peacekeeping in Bangkok.