The following is a timeline of key events in Thailand's political crisis since protests aimed at toppling Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government began more than a month ago:

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

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

November 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".

November 20: The Constitutional Court blocks a ruling party attempt to amend the make-up of the Senate but stops short of dissolving the party.

November 24: Authorities say up to 180,000 opposition protesters join a massive rally at Bangkok's Democracy Monument, heaping pressure on the government. A rival protest by the pro-government "Red Shirts" draws around 50,000 people to a suburban stadium.

November 25: Tens of thousands of opposition supporters march on state buildings, occupying the finance ministry. The government imposes a special security law handing police extra powers across the capital.

November 26: Parliament starts debating a no-confidence motion against Yingluck. Protesters besiege several ministries, vowing to paralyse the government, while police issue an arrest warrant for firebrand rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban for orchestrating the occupation of the finance ministry.

November 27: Demonstrations spread across Thailand, in particular in the southern heartlands of the opposition Democrat Party. Protesters, with Suthep at their helm, march across Bangkok and occupy a government complex in the city suburbs, which becomes a base for protest leaders.

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

November 29: Peaceful demonstrators enter army headquarters for two hours and urge the military to join their cause. But army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha says the military will not take sides. Several thousand protesters mass outside the headquarters of the ruling Puea Thai party.

November 30: Protesters march on two major state-owned telecoms firms and briefly try to enter the government headquarters. Opposition demonstrators attack a bus carrying "Red Shirts" government supporters as violence flares for the first time. Several people are killed and dozens wounded in street clashes.

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

December 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.

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

December 8: Thai opposition lawmakers resign en masse from parliament

December 9: Yingluck calls a snap election but protesters fight on with an estimated 100,000 demonstrators taking to the streets of Bangkok.