The following is a timeline of key events in Thailand's political crisis that began more than a month ago:

Oct 31: Protests begin against a proposed government amnesty bill which critics said was aimed at whitewashing the graft convictions of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's brother - and would allow him to return from self-exile overseas.

Nov 1: The ruling-party-dominated lower house of parliament votes in favor of the bill.

Nov 11: Amid growing outrage on the streets, the upper house overwhelmingly rejects the legislation. Demonstrators do not disperse and instead vow to step up rallies to overthrow Yingluck and end the "Thaksin system".

Nov 24: Authorities say up to 180,000 protesters joined a massive rally at Bangkok's Democracy Monument.

Nov 25: Tens of thousands of opposition supporters march on state buildings, occupying the Finance Ministry.

Nov 26: Parliament starts debating a no-confidence motion against Yingluck. Protesters besiege several ministries, vowing to paralyze the government.

Nov 27: Demonstrations spread across Thailand, in particular in the southern heartlands of the opposition Democrat Party.

Nov 28: Ruling party lawmakers defeat the no-confidence motion. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban rejects an appeal by Yingluck for talks to end the crisis.

Nov 29: Peaceful demonstrators enter army headquarters for two hours and urge the military to join their cause.

Nov 30: Protesters march on two major state-owned telecoms firms and briefly try to enter the government headquarters.

Dec 1: Police use water cannons and tear gas on protesters who try to breach barriers to the heavily guarded Government House and the metropolitan police headquarters.

Dec 3: After several days of street clashes, the government instructs police to avoid further confrontation with protesters, easing tensions before the revered king's birthday.

Dec 5: King Bhumibol Adulyadej urges the nation to work together for "stability" in a speech on his 86th birthday.

Dec 8: Thai opposition lawmakers resign en masse from parliament.

Dec 9: Yingluck calls a snap election but protesters fight on with an estimated 150,000 demonstrators taking to the streets of Bangkok.

(China Daily 12/10/2013 page12)