LONDON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The British government said Monday it was warning of the potential for violence in Thailand ahead of elections scheduled for Feb. 2.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Monday it was monitoring reports of demonstrations in Bangkok and elsewhere.
"Some of these have been violent, including the use of firearms, and there have been casualties and deaths," the warning said. "The situation is unpredictable and further protests are expected."
The Thai government last week imposed a two-month state of emergency for Bangkok and surrounding areas because of political violence.
Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said Sunday the U.S. government was "deeply troubled" by reports some parties to the conflict were working to block voting.
"While we do not take sides in the political dispute and strongly support freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest, preventing citizens from voting violates their universal rights and is inconsistent with democratic values," she said.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her allies are expected to win the Feb. 2 elections. A court said, however, it could delay the vote because of the violence.
Shinawatra became prime minister after a general election in 2011. Political violence in 2010 left at least 89 people dead.
