Seven people were injured in a shooting near the People's Democratic Reform Committee's (PDRC) rally site early Saturday, police sources said.
The shooting between two groups of people took place near the Government Lottery Office and at Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the sources said.
The incident took place around 2.45am, according to the sources.
Seven people were injured in a shooting attack near the People's Democratic Reform Committee's (PDRC) rally site on Saturday. (@TeamMallika DP Twitter photo)
It was unclear who was behind the shooting and the sources could not confirm that the seven people were anti-government protesters or PRDC security guards.
The shooting took place as the PDRC, led by former Democrat Party powerbroker Suthep Thaugsuban, is preparing for a major rally on Monday to shut down Bangkok.
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Friday that the government is capable of controlling the situation during the planned shutdown.
But she admitted that she is concerned that "third hand" groups would take this opportunity to incite violence.
She called on all parties to turn back from confrontation and enter talks to look for ways out of the political crisis through the stage of the government's reform council, which will operate in parallel with the election.
Ms Yingluck said a general election, scheduled to take place on Feb 2, is necessary.
But the Election Commission (EC) advised the caretake government to propose that His Majesty the King issue a new royal decree to halt the election due to concern over another political deadlock.
EC commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyagorn also reiterated the EC's concern over rising violence leading up to the election.