BANGKOK, Safar 18, 1435, Dec 21, 2013, SPA -- Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party said Saturday that it would boycott February's general election, deepening a weekslong political crisis over protesters' efforts to oust the government and force political reforms, AP reported. The party's leader, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, announced the boycott after a meeting of party executives, saying the decision was made in order to ensure that Thailand's government will "represent the people once again." A spokesman for the ruling party said the Democrats were guided by the knowledge that they knew they would lose the election. The Democrats' position reflects the stand taken by street protesters demanding that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down ahead of the elections. The demonstrators want an appointed interim government to institute reforms before any new polls are held. -- SPA 18:36 LOCAL TIME 15:36 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1181155