Election expected to be held within 60 days or before Feb 2, Election Commission member Sodsri Sattayatham said. /Bangkok Post

RT @ChadapornLin: Anti govt protest at Chantaburi city hall http://t.co/M5HK0OWZiu

RT @ChadapornLin: Suthep spotted at Saphan Kwai MRT by @BenJedbadin ; hundreds of guards around him http://t.co/SoJlTDtFai

RT @RichardBarrow: 12:30pm Large group of protesters in front of Government House - RT @tigerscoco: http://t.co/ZbyXjjhA7F

PM Yingluck says her family wants peace, not power

BANGKOK, 9 December 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has said the “Shinawatra” family only wants peace, not power. She has also ruled out the possibility of her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, returning to Thai politics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687658-pm-yingluck-shinawatra-says-her-family-wants-peace-not-power/

Suthep rejects House dissolution



BANGKOK: -- Anti-Thaksin leader Suthep Thaugsuban this morning rejected the prime minister’s House dissolution and holding of general election saying she must hand over power to the people to form a people’s council to appoint outsiders to be a caretaker government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687662-suthep-rejects-house-dissolution/

UPDATE:

CAPO calls protesters to return homes to save national image



BANGKOK: -- The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order called on protesters to end the protests and return homes for the sake of peace and image of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687645-capo-chief-surapong-calls-for-end-of-demonstrations/#entry7138465

RT @Thai_Tweet: When protesters get tired wand. around BKK, what's will they do next? Without provoking violence, don't see how they "win"?

RT @tulsathit: Speaker on Rajdamnoen stage: Some people's abilities to count are worse than those of kindergarten kids.

RT @daveoli: Actually I'm quite surprised how many have turned out. Thought the zeal for Suthep would wane. Woo, I was wrong.

RT @tulsathit: Surapong: Please go home.

Protest leaders: Please come out.

Protest leaders call on caretaker government to step down



BANGKOK: -- Protest leaders today called on the prime minister and her caretaker government to step down and return power to the people to establish a people’s council.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687665-thai-protest-leaders-call-on-caretaker-government-to-step-down/

RT @tulsathit: House dissolution has ruled out amending charter to have a "special govt", leaving constitutional interpretation the only way to do it.

DEMONSTRATION
AMCHAM members prepared for demonstrations
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand on Monday told its members that they would receive notices on Thailand security and travel warnings by email, facebook and twitter postings, when they become available.

This information is also available on the American Citizen Services website http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/wwc/recent.html.

At 2pm today, the US Embassy Regional Security Officer and Consul General will be at the AMCHAM office to answer questions about the current security situation.


-- The Nation 2013-12-09

Protesters Reach Govt House
By Khaosod Online


Anti-government protesters shouting abuse at police officers inside Government House compound.

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters led by former Democrat MPs are now besieging Government House, their target for the massive demonstrations today.

Very few police officers are visible around the Government House compound, our correspondent says. Most of the officers have now retreated to their positions inside the buildings, while thousands of protesters are just outside the compound.

The protesters are occupying various roads around the government office, such as Pitsanulok Road and Royal Plaza, their ranks increasingly swelling by the minute as they are joined demonstrations from other areas of Bangkok.

The demonstrators are being led by a number of former Democrat MPs who resigned from their position just yesterday.

All exits and entrances of Government House are blocked by the protesters who were instructed by their leaders not to let the police force to leave the compound.

Protest leaders on their loudspeaker-vehicles have told the protesters to hold their ground and wait for a ′declaration of victory′ from PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5qVTJPVFF5TUE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-12-09

RT @RichardBarrow: 1pm - Looking down on a river of anti-Thaksin protesters in #Bangkok - RT @minitin18: http://t.co/FYawwO3SK1 #Thailand

RT@Tulip_Oum: CAPO gives estimate of total protesters today at 98,650 people.-@looknum_NBC facebook.com/pages/Policesp…

Election Commission ready to hold general election, no date set; by-election on Dec 22 to replace 8 resigned Democrat MPs cancelled /MCOT

Phuket protest march becomes victory parade
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Thousands of jubilant anti-government protesters are gathered outside of the main government buildings in Phuket Town, celebrating the decision of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra earlier today to dissolve her government.

The protesters, however, vow to carry on protesting until the People’s Council proposed by Suthep Thaugsuban, the former deputy prime minister and protest leader in Bangkok, is set up.

The whistle-blowing, flag-waving, ribbon-wearing crowd continues to grow as protesters from all over Phuket, including government workers, hospital staff and students gather in front of Phuket Provincial Hall (map here).

Protest co-ordinator Amnuay Kumban said that groups had paraded all over Phuket Town to celebrate the dissolution of PM Yingluck’s government.

But he vowed that protests would continue despite the dissolution.

“We can’t stop now, because PM Yingluck’s team will keep working until a new government is set up. We will continue to protest until Suthep Thaugsuban sets up the People’s Council,” he said.

Another protest co-ordinator, Theerawuth Sritulalak agreed. “We will continue protesting, as they’re doing in Bangkok. I want to see the People’s Council first. Actually, we’d be even more satisfied if the Shinawatra family left Thailand.”

Traffic Police are advising motorists to avoid Phuket Town.

“Right now many roads are closed,” said one officer. “It’s best to avoid going through town, or use a motorbike if you must.”

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-protest-march-becomes-victory-parade-22984.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-12-08

RT@fratticcioli: Over 100k mostly middle-class Bangkokians protesting to say no to elections, yes to unelected Council (pic @myklbak) pic.twitter.com/B0rpWiRTIn

RT@bangkok: RT @grantthai: Incredible numbers. Makes the police estimate of 98,950 look rather conservative pic.twitter.com/qHxQoUqZYu

RT@SteveInCM: Panel of acceptable people needed to overcome crisis, says academic | Bangkok Post: business

Anti-govt protesters mob Phuket Provincial Hall in ‘final battle’
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

PHUKET: An estimated 7,000 people descended on Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (December 9) in the largest rally so far, spilling over in Surin Rd, blowing whistles, waving Thai flags and giving vocal support to the efforts of their counterparts in Bangkok.

In Bangkok, the leader of the protests, Suthep Thaugsuban, called for today to be the “final battle” in his efforts to get PM Yingluck Shinawatra, her brother, exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and other members of their family out of Thai politics forever.

Suratin Lien-udom, one of the Phuket protest leaders, told The Phuket News, “Even though PM Yingluck has announced the dissolution of the House of Representatives, she is still acting Prime Minister.

“Today, we are not going to any [other government] office. We are here together peacefully. We want only to uproot Thaksin’s system.”

Protester Pairoj Ruampanpong told The Phuket News, “Now, there are 6,000 to 7,000 protesters here, and about 1,000 more going around Phuket Town showing the symbols of protest, in order to oppose Thaksin’s system.

“The dissolving of the House of Representatives is just [a ploy] to cool down politics; the Prime Minister is still there.

“People really want to see the creation of the People’s Council [as proposed by Mr Suthep], and experts have concluded that it is [constitutionally] possible.”

Provincial Hall remained closed this morning, however other government offices in Phuket appear to be operating as normal. Confirmed as open this morning are Immigration, the Provincial Land Transport Office (car registrations and driving licences), the Provincial Land Office, and the Provincial Employment Office (work permits).

However, phone calls to the Community Development Agency, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office and the Office of Tourism and Sport were not answered.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/anti-govt-protesters-mob-phuket-provincial-hall-in-%E2%80%98final-battle%E2%80%99-43325.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

-- Phuket News 2013-12-09

RT@waanspeaking: CAPO / police said about 155,000 people joined the #bangkokprotest as of the latest estimate.

RT@newley: Puea Thai: Yingluck to run again. "We want the Democrat Party to take part in elections & not to play street games." reuters.com/article/2013/1…

RT@tulsathit: Bluesky: Police will be pulling out of Govt House soon. Suthep is expected to make announcement before 5 pm.

RT@Aim_NT: 2.19pm Satit said only 10 companies of police would then remain guarding in Govt House area leaving it for the people to take over the area.

Court rejects warrant requests for 13 protest leaders on insurrection charges
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 9 - Thailand's Criminal Court today rejected arrest warrants sought by the police for 13 anti-government protest leaders, saying the current situation does not warrant the request after the premier's announcement of House dissolution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687680-bangkok-court-rejects-warrant-requests-for-13-protest-leaders-on-insurrection-charges/

POLITICS
Army sees easing of tensions following dissolution
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Army on Monday described the ongoing political situation as easing following PM's announcement of House dissolution and expected it to improve, deputy army spokesman Lt Col Winthai Suvaree said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687682-thai-army-sees-easing-of-tensions-following-dissolution/

Election Commission bewildered by Democrat MPs’ mass resignation
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 9 – Thailand's Election Commission (EC) will meet today on organising by-elections nationwide following an announcement by Democrat MPs to resign en masse, effective yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687685-thai-election-commission-bewildered-by-democrat-mps-mass-resignation/

RT @tulsathit: On Bangkok-bound Nakhon Si Thammarat train. via @kanatpn http://t.co/q7rZhKohLa

Redshirts Call Off Ayutthaya Rally
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has cancelled its rally in Ayutthaya province, hours after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced her intention to dissolve the parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687687-redshirts-call-off-ayutthaya-rally/