Anti-government protesters in Thailand can consider this round of resistance a success , after getting Sunday 's national elections delayed in the Bangkok district of Laksi . National security chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr told CNN that Laksi postponed balloting for approximately 87,000 voters because demonstrators were blocking the administration office where the ballot boxes are kept . The make-up voting date is yet to be determined . Laksi , a district of mixed pro- and anti-government sentiment , witnessed violent protests on Saturday , when gunfire erupted during anti-government protests , witnesses said . At least seven people were wounded , Erawan Medical Centre said . The violence came amid high tensions a day ahead of elections . Witnesses saw at least eight gunmen emerge from the ranks of the anti-government protests and open fire for about 30 minutes toward police and pro-government demonstrators . It was not clear whether anyone fired back . Of those injured , one remains in the intensive care unit , the medical center said . In addition , a local journalist was injured by a firecracker hurled by someone in the crowd , according to witnesses . Anti-government demonstrators say they will keep up protests and attempt to shut down Thailand 's capital city during elections . They have been campaigning for months against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra , fueling unrest that previously left 10 people dead and hundreds more wounded . Yingluck called the elections in December in a bid to ease mounting tensions on the streets of Bangkok . But the demonstrators and the main opposition party with which they 're affiliated have already rejected the vote . Yingluck 's party is expected to win comfortably . Her brother Thaksin Shinawatra is a business tycoon , who became Prime Minister before being overthrown in a military coup . He has since lived in exile , but his opponents accuse him of dominating politics from afar , including through Yingluck . Lead-up to gunfire . Before the gunfire broke out , protesters attempted to foil elections by interfering with preparations , CNN 's Saima Mohsin reported from Bangkok . Some of them camped out at a center that is providing ballot boxes for the election and blocked police from entering it to inspect the boxes , a necessary measure before voting may proceed . Police initially were able to coax them away , but afterward , more protesters from both groups converged on the spot , the Laksi intersection , a major traffic spot in the capital . Gunshots rang out and people ducked . Rapid gunfire continued , mixed in with the sound of fireworks . Gun smoke filled the air . `` I could taste it ; I could smell it , '' Mohsin said . There were few security forces present to respond . Around 20 police officers and a dozen soldiers crouched behind their vehicles to avoid flying bullets . Authorities have said that 10,000 security personnel are on standby . No further violence erupted overnight , but protesters were able to keep authorities from reaching the ballot boxes on Sunday . Political battles . The political elbowing goes beyond Bangkok 's streets and has spread dirty politics into many provinces , where some constituents have no candidates to represent them in the election , Mohsin reported . They were blocked from registering to run for election . Many voters are being blocked from participating in the vote . The lasting political instability has created fears of chaos in Thailand , which was shaken by severe bout of violence four years ago . The concerns have already hurt the country 's lucrative tourist industry and undermined investment in one of Southeast Asia 's main economies .
Anti-government protesters successfully delayed elections in Thailand 's Southeast Asia 's . At least seven people were wounded in the four years ago violence , medical officials say . At least seven gunmen emerged from the ranks of the anti-government protests . They opened fire for overnight toward police and pro-government demonstrators .