Thailand's opposition Democrat Party has announced in will boycott an election in February, a move that could deepen uncertainty amid protests seeking to topple the government and thwart the poll.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved parliament on December 9 and called the snap poll in a bid to defuse tensions, but opposition against her remains strong and mass protest rallies have been taking place in Bangkok. Her Puea Thai Party is expected to win the most votes in the poll, which the election commission on Friday said would go ahead as planned.