A spokesman for Thailand's government says general elections will be held on February 2.
Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi told The Associated Press the decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
The announcement came after Thailand's prime minister said she will dissolve the lower house of Parliament and call early elections in an attempt to calm the country's deepening political crisis.
And 100,000 protesters vowing to overthrow her government have marched through the streets of Bangkok for a "final showdown."
It was not clear if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's move would satisfy protesters, who say they will not settle for her stepping down but instead want to rid Thailand of her politically powerful family's influence.