DHAKA: Thailand’s Constitutional Court said it would decide on Thursday whether to accept a case against holding February 2 election that would almost certainly extend the government’s shaky grip on power as protesters try to force it from office.

The government declared a 60-day state of emergency from Wednesday hoping to prevent an escalation in protests now in a third month.

That decree will face a fresh test on Thursday when popular anti-government firebrand Suthep Thaugsuban leads a march through the capital Bangkok.

A leading pro-government activist was shot and wounded on Wednesday in Thailand’s northeast, a stronghold of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in what police said was a political attack, adding to fears the violence could spread.

Nine people have died and dozens wounded in violence, including two grenade attacks in the capital last weekend, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1423 HRS, JAN 23, 2014