Protests heat up in Thailand

An anti-government protester shouts slogans during a gathering outside Interior Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 26, 2013.

Protesters forced the closure of several government ministries and vowed to take control of state offices nationwide in a bid to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, escalating the biggest challenge she has faced since taking office.

Bangkok

Anti-government protesters wear colorful rain coats as they block the road outside the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, Nov. 26, 2013.

Bangkok

Riot policemen stand guard outside the parliament during a censure debate in Bangkok, Nov. 26, 2013.

Bangkok

A general view of anti-government protesters gathering to demonstrate against the government-backed amnesty bill at the Democracy monument in central Bangkok, Nov. 24, 2013.

Bangkok

A policeman receives a flower from an anti-government protester as thousands of others gather outside the Department of Special Investigation in Bangkok, Nov. 27, 2013.

Bangkok

An anti-government protester fights with the police at a barricade near a government building in Bangkok, Nov.5, 2013.

Bangkok

Anti-government protesters march to the government complex in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 27, 2013.

Bangkok

Suthep Thaugsuban, former deputy Prime Minister and protest leader, acknowledges the crowd at the Democracy monument in central Bangkok, where tens of thousands gathered in a protest against a government-backed amnesty bill, Nov. 24, 2013.

Bangkok

Anti-government protesters cheer as one of their leaders addresses them at the Finance Ministry, which they have occupied since Monday, in Bangkok, Nov. 26, 2013.

Bangkok

Anti-government protesters riding on a truck wave Thai national flags on their way to the Industry Ministry in Bangkok, Nov. 27, 2013.

Bangkok

An anti-government protester blows her whistle during a rally at Democracy Monument in Bangkok Nov. 27, 2013.

Bangkok

Anti-government protesters gather outside the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 26, 2013.

Bangkok

An anti-government protester blows a whistle at the Industry Ministry in Bangkok, Nov. 27, 2013.

Bangkok

An anti-government protester gives a whistle to a Thai police officer, right, to invite him to join their "whistle blowing" rally against the government, in Bangkok, Nov. 25, 2013.

Bangkok

An anti-government protester shouts slogans and holds a placard with a picture of Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during a rally at Thailand's Industry Ministry in Bangkok, Nov. 27, 2013.

Bangkok

Protest leader and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban is seen under the national flag outside a government complex where anti-government protesters gather, Nov. 27, 2013.