Bangkok: Party-list candidate registration site targeted

[webfact]

Registration site targeted
The Nation

Suthep warns of week-long protests in capital, 'people's revolution' if PM stays

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), yesterday vowed to disrupt the February 2 general election, and began by mobilising protesters last night to blockade the Thai-Japanese Stadium to prevent party-list candidate registration, which is scheduled to begin there today and to end on Friday.

"If someone hopes to apply as an MP candidate, he or she will have to pass through our rally. We will block it [the stadium] for half a day, but on election day on February 2, we will block every location," Suthep announced at the Rajdamnoen rally site at 6.50pm yesterday.

Even if candidate registration is completed, Suthep said he had other measures planned to prevent voting in the general election.

He said he expected the government and the Election Commission (EC) would defy the people by going ahead with the election.

"Today we shut down Bangkok for half a day. If [caretaker Prime Minister] Yingluck [shinawatra] does not resign, there will be full-day or seven-day shutdowns in the future," Suthep said.

He called for government officials to fight alongside the public, warning that the people would rise up to stage a "people's revolution" if the officials ignored the people's wishes.

After his speech, Suthep prostrated himself before the protesters. It was the first time he has done so.

Issara Somchai, a former Democrat MP and the leader of the PDRC's protest at Victory Monument, said those gathered there would end their rally at midnight before marching in opposition to the February 2 election.

Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, the EC member in charge of organising the polls, said that although the agency had requested military protection, it was just for backup and there would not likely be a need to use force.

He said he did not approve any deployment of riot police at the Keelawes 2 Gym of the Thai-Japanese Stadium, which would be the venue for party-list MP candidacy registration on the first day today.

The EC had contacted regular police to be stationed at the site, he said, adding that the government should contact the EC if it was sending personnel to the venue.

The EC would have to hold a meeting if there was any development that would force a change of venue, he said.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the EC should take strict legal action against Suthep if the protesters raid the venue and obstruct the MP candidacy registration process.

Yingluck told reporters covering her trip that it would be a shame if the Democrats boycotted the election, as political parties are supposed to protect democracy. Without an election, she could not figure out how political reform would be possible.

Yingluck said she had got positive feedback from other political parties on her proposal to establish a national reform council after the election. However, the government would only initiate the process.

"The statement yesterday was only the beginning. This idea doesn't have to be implemented all. Only what is agreed on by all would be implemented. As the government, we will cooperate on all aspects," she said.

Asked by reporters to make clear her decision on whether to run in the election, Yingluck said, "All of us have the duty to apply and run in the election." When asked whether she would run as number 1 on Pheu Thai's party list, she just smiled and ended the interview.


-- The Nation 2013-12-23

[meechai]

If someone hopes to apply as an MP candidate, he or she will have to pass through our rally. We will block it [the stadium] for half a day, but on election day on February 2, we will block every location," Suthep announced at the Rajdamnoen rally site at 6.50pm yesterday.

Even if candidate registration is completed, Suthep said he had other measures planned to prevent voting in the general election.

So now he proclaims no free will elections...

No voting...for anyone

And last but not least we will stop anyone from registering to be a candidate?

Would this guy be called anything other than a terrorist anywhere in the free world?

Edited December 23, 2013 by meechai

[webfact]

Eight parties submit party-list applications

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Eight political parties registered their party-list candidates Monday morning because their officials managed to enter the Thai-Japanese Stadium before protesters besieged the stadium.

The eight parties are:

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

2) Chart Pattana Party which entered the stadium at 3:30 am

3) Pheu Thai Party which entered the stadium at 4 am

4) Damrong Thai Party which entered the stadium at 4:55 am

5) Thai Farmers Party which entered the stadium at 5:05 am

6) Thin Ka Khao Party which entered the stadium at 5:21 am

7) Progressive Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 5:25 am

8) Chart Thai Pattana Party which entered the stadium at 5:32 am.


-- The Nation 2013-12-23

[Nowhereman60]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

[soi41]

This guy makes Mugabe look like an amateur!!

Haven't we got to the point now, where it is not "charming" and Thai sanook anymore??

Yes Thailand needs changes, but not changes forced on the majority by a neo-fascist nutcase!!

[dukebowling]

Me thinks he doth protest too much...

[Bluespunk]

The inner fascist is now out, loud and proud. He's completely lost the plot and turned what was a legitimate and justified series of protests against govt corruption into a scene from the fascist heydays of the 1930s. Nothing good can come from anything this lunatic does.

[chooka]

If someone hopes to apply as an MP candidate, he or she will have to pass through our rally. We will block it [the stadium] for half a day, but on election day on February 2, we will block every location," Suthep announced at the Rajdamnoen rally site at 6.50pm yesterday.

Even if candidate registration is completed, Suthep said he had other measures planned to prevent voting in the general election.

So now he proclaims no free will elections...

No voting...for anyone

And last but not least we will stop anyone from registering to be a candidate?

Would this guy be called anything other than a terrorist anywhere in the free world?

It's called Democracy Suthep style. He declared himself the supreme ruler of Thailand and the country has no say in it.

[webfact]

PDRC protesters block Din Daeng police station

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters this morning besieged the Din Daeng police station after learning that some political parties have successfully registered their party-list candidates to contest in the February 2 election at the station, instead of the main registration venue they blocked.

PDRC protesters began blocking the Thai-Japanese Youth Center stadium which is used to be the main venue to receive registration applications since last night in what they said is not to deter political parties to register for election but merely to see “the faces” of those defiant party executives.

Despite their blockades, representatives of eight political parties were reported by the Election Commission of successfully registered their party-list candidates to contest in the election. Some have entered the stadium at 3.00 a.m. and before the arrival of the PDRC protesters would lay siege to the place.

An EC commissioner Somchai Srisuthikarn said this morning that those who could not enter the stadium to register because of the blockade, they could report the incident to Din Daeng police station to use an evidence that they have arrived but could not enter.

By 9.00 a.m. a total of 28 parties have reported Din Daeng police station their arrivals for registration before 8.30 a.m. but could not enter the stadium due to the blockade.

But Mr Somchai made clear that this was not to guarantee that they would be allowed to register and enter the lot drawing for numbers, depending on the EC’s consideration.

To make the registration valid even though they have reported the incident to Din Daeng police station, representatives of political parties must officially register their party-list candidates at the Din Daeng youth center, the EC commissioner said.

He added that it was still unknown if the EC could hold lot-drawing to choose numbers for all parties running in the election.

The number will define the order in which the polling ballots with the lists of candidates for the registered political parties will be arranged.

So far, eight political parties have officially registered their party-list candidates to contest the February 2 election.

They included Pheu Thai, Phumjai Thai, Chart Thai Pattana.

Pheu Thai party has registered 125 party-list candidates with caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra being the first on the list, followed by former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Charupong Ruangsuwan, Chaikasen Nitisiri, and Chalerm Yoobamrung.

At press time, more and more protesters are arriving at the Din Daeng police station to block registration.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pdrc-protesters-block-din-daeng-police-station/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-23

[chooka]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

Just goes to show how full of it they really are.

[Nowhereman60]

Hundreds of protesters????? I don't think there are 50 in the picture, must be part of the 3 million that I din't count yesterday.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Nowhereman60

[Spare]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

Just goes to show how full of it they really are.

The funny thing is that they beat all other parties. I.e. 1st in queue.

Hahaha. Mark have fooled us all.

[dinom]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

Just goes to show how full of it they really are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Thailand

start reading before giving such comments?

(New) Democracy party and Democrat Party are not same same....

[Nowhereman60]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

Just goes to show how full of it they really are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Thailand

start reading before giving such comments?

(New) Democracy party and Democrat Party are not same same....

It's didn't say new. You should learn to read and mind your own business.

[khunsiam]

The inner fascist is now out, loud and proud. He's completely lost the plot and turned what was a legitimate and justified series of protests against govt corruption into a scene from the fascist heydays of the 1930s. Nothing good can come from anything this lunatic does.

the protest movement is planned out by ultra nationalists and fascists with Suthep on the forefront because of his popularity as "Democrat", a puppet on a string, the "government corruption and and amnesty bill" protests are just a smokescreen for the power grab, the "people" are fooled. There's more than Yingluck and the PT in government, other parties agree with the elections and the set up of a reform commitee.

[Calimotty]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

Democrats split in just about every way imaginable.

When Suthep plays his last card 2nd Feb the full force of the law will ensure that it really is his last card.

One ponders just how this minority group agreed on the name Democrat too start with?

[dinom]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

Just goes to show how full of it they really are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Thailand

start reading before giving such comments?

(New) Democracy party and Democrat Party are not same same....

It's didn't say new. You should learn to read and mind your own business.

Thanks for reminding me that not everybody is allowed to comment in this forum?

[dukebowling]

1) Democracy Party which entered the stadium at 3 am

I don't understand this one. Aren't they boycotting the election?

Democracy Party is not equal to Democratic Party…It's all about the exact spelling.

[Calimotty]

Hundreds of protesters????? I don't think there are 50 in the picture, must be part of the 3 million that I din't count yesterday.

Great to see just how the numbers are really manipulated in favor of this mad man Suthep

Numbers are down and missing just like many of the TV Suthep supporters who shot themselves in the mouth way a head of the reality of the situation.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Calimotty

[NongKhaiKid]

It's sad to se a legitimate protest has been hijacked by a demagogue and we can imagine for what ends, certainly not the country's.

Unfortunately there are nutters on both sides of the divide.

This will not end well.

[chooka]

Blocking the registration site and now blocking the police station to prevent parties reporting is taking basic rights away from people who want to exercise their right to vote. Is that a democracy when you prevent people from having voice and a right to vote. Sounds more like a dictatorship to me.

[webfact]

Thai protesters block poll registration stadium

(BBC) Anti-government demonstrators in Thailand have surrounded the stadium where candidates were due to register to stand in February's elections.

They say political reform is needed before elections take place.

On Sunday, tens of thousands took to the streets of Bangkok, calling on the government to step down.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who called the polls in December try to end the rallies, urged protesters to respect the "democratic system".

The main opposition Democrat Party has said it would boycott February's elections.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was previously a senior Democrat Party politician, said on Sunday: "We disagree with the election. We want the country to be reformed before the election."

He urged protesters to gather outside Bangkok's Thai-Japanese stadium, where candidate registrations were set to take place, on Monday.

"If you want to apply for candidacy, you must walk past our feet first," he said.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25489702

-- BBC 2013-12-23

[Thailand]

Difficult to know what to say about this madman, you think he has reached his peak of lunacy and then he manages to surpass it.

You have to wonder about the mentality of his grass root supporters and backers.

[LuukKoeyKorat]

Blocking the registration site and now blocking the police station to prevent parties reporting is taking basic rights away from people who want to exercise their right to vote. Is that a democracy when you prevent people from having voice and a right to vote. Sounds more like a dictatorship to me.

I totally agree. I've been following the political developments of the past weeks with increasing dismay and alarm. This is not a joke anymore. These are actions far removed from any reform measures or 'power to the people' or democratic principles. Mr Southep is cranking up the pressure using pure bullying tactics to achieve his aims...no compromise or willingness to sit down at the negotiating table to find a solution. The tactics and actions will just increase in intensity the closer we get to election day - culminating in what...violence against anyone casting their ballot? Scary stuff.

[gerry1011]

Difficult to know what to say about this madman, you think he has reached his peak of lunacy and then he manages to surpass it.

You have to wonder about the mentality of his grass root supporters and backers.

... as well as his farang supporters on this forum.

A good psychiatrist should make a study on this subject and let us read his findings.

I wonder how smart and educated the people supporting such a criminal movement really are...

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NongKhaiKid]

Difficult to know what to say about this madman, you think he has reached his peak of lunacy and then he manages to surpass it.

You have to wonder about the mentality of his grass root supporters and backers.

Exactly but there are those on the other side who are no better. Something's got to give.

[DocN]

So...now they want to prevent everybody from executing their right to vote?

Interesting!

There will be blood!

[soi41]

This thread has been open for more than 2 hours now, wonder where are all the Suthep supporters among the members?? The same posters who yesterday had more than 5000 (using the same method of counting, as the supporters used counting protesters yesterday) posts defending their master!!

Waiting to hear that preventing ordinary people from voting is the only way towards true democracy!!

So all you Suthep lovers out there: The forum is all yours!!

[LuukKoeyKorat]

This thread has been open for more than 2 hours now, wonder where are all the Suthep supporters among the members?? The same posters who yesterday had more than 5000 (using the same method of counting, as the supporters used counting protesters yesterday) posts defending their master!!

Waiting to hear that preventing ordinary people from voting is the only way towards true democracy!!

So all you Suthep lovers out there: The forum is all yours!!

they are currently holding a huddle meeting to come up with an excuse to justify the protestors blockade. 'Exercising democratic rights to prevent democracy from happening.' Or something like that

[Spare]

Remember the Chula Professor Chaiyan Chaiyaporn?

He was arrested and charged for damaging a ballet paper.

I wonder if people blocking the election process would be arrested and charged for similar crime?

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/chaiyaporn/Interesting

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/chaiyaporn

Edited December 23, 2013 by Spare