No right to disrupt the electoral process

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
No right to disrupt the electoral process
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THE DISRUPTION of candidacy registration on Monday by protesters from the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) underlined the need for a solution to the ongoing political confrontation.

Without a solution agreed by the parties involved, violence could flare up on election day, scheduled for February 2.The PDRC has called for political reform to be implemented before any election is held. According to its plan, the February 2 election should be postponed, a non-politician prime minister appointed and a "People's Council" set up to determine reform measures.

However, the PDRC proposal has not been welcomed by the politicians in power. The government and the Election Commission are gearing up for the February 2 election and most registered political parties have agreed to contest the snap polls called by the prime minister after dissolving the House of Representatives on December 9.

It appears only the PDRC and the Democrat Party, which earlier decided not to field any candidates in the February 2 election, want the election postponed. Hence, there was disruption of the candidacy registration, in a bid to pressure the government.

It is true that many people want the election to be postponed. But there are also many others who want the election to go ahead. This latter group simply wants to exercise its voting right.

Whether the latter group is larger or smaller, the point is that they have the democratic and constitutional right to vote and to contest the election. Therefore, it is not right to prevent other people from registering their election candidacy.

Certainly, the PDRC has to fully shoulder the responsibility for the disruption. The move to block the registration site, the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre Stadium, did not get a positive response. On Tuesday, the PDRC withdrew its protesters from the place and instead opted to focus its campaign on pressuring caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.

However, it has been widely speculated that there could be attempts to disrupt the February 2 election. This could be done in many ways, such as interrupting election campaigning, causing chaos in different areas, obstructing the work of officials on election day, and holding a mass rally to prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots.

It is true that an election may |not be the best way out for the |country, without national reform. Obviously, we need reform urgently |to prevent our country from going |further downhill.

However, we cannot afford to wait for such reform to be completed before going to the polls. That way, our country will be in a political vacuum for a long period. The country's reputation will be badly affected among the international community. More importantly, the election will be postponed indefinitely until the parties involved can reach an accord on the reform measures.

The PDRC's supporters and sympathisers who disagree with an election on February 2 may make their stance by boycotting it and campaigning for support for their cause. But they have no right to obstruct the people who want to exercise their voting right. In doing so, they risk violating the law. They could be charged with disrupting an election or even attempting to overthrow a democratic system.


-- The Nation 2013-12-26

[Bender]

during French revolution, it was the poor who take back the power, in Thailand its the rich who make a revolution to get it back,

its certainly what they call thainess...

[goldmonky]

• Admin
• 96,770 posts

Posted 11 minutes ago

RAJDAMNOEN RALLY
PDRC claims Sunday rally one of the biggest ever
HATAIKARN TREESUWAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by Suthep Thaugsuban, claimed their Sunday rally in Bangkok was one of the biggest in Thailand's political history as they closed the capital for half a day in their effort to force caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from her post.

PDRC core-leader Satit Wongnongtaey claimed that 5.8 million people in Bangkok showed up on the streets on Sunday. The highest number recorded was over a million in Ratchaprasong.

Satit said the estimate came from three scientific calculations: One, from a helicopter taking photos from five protest sites and the Democracy Monument. Two, using six drones for aerial photography. And third, 24 members of the PDRC at the sites took photos at the entrance gates every half an hour, to be used to calculate the numbers of people passing through.

PDRC leaders admitted they were wrong in thinking such a large number of demonstrators would successfully pressure the premier immediately, or that the military and government officers would decide to stand alongside the people right away.

Yingluck showed no sign of giving up. As a result, new strategies have been set to accomplish their goals.

Before the rally last Sunday, the rally's stage organiser chief said a meeting of PDRC leaders, led by Kwansuang Atibodhi, a lecturer in architecture, planned a massive rally. They tried to erase the flaws in their previous "battle days" on November 24, and December 9, which had three main problems - all protesters could not access the main rally stages, communication did not smoothly reach protesters in the rally, and the debate over calculation of the number of protesters.

Location, logistics and accessibility were very important. These were the reasons why the PDRC designated rallies at five major stages and 10n minor sites, he added. The five major sites were Lumpini Park, the Asoke intersection, the Ratchaprasong intersection, Pathum Wan and Victory Monument. Bangkokians could reach the rally sites as they preferred using BTS, as well as rural people could join up easily because the major sites had nine roads leading to them, connected to the provinces, Satit said.

"You know, Bangkok's map is an "inverted Y". The Asoke stage can accommodate people who come from the east through Bang Na Road and Sukhumvit Road, the Democracy Monument stage can be accessed by southerners, and the Victory Monument stage by the North and Northeast demonstrators.

"Every area where we staged the rallies, we used to test the water first [by the reaction to the] previous gatherings," he said.

"We can create a new history of a people's movement. Many things must be carefully planned, but something might happen accidentally. You know why so many people called Suthep a "kamnan" (a village headman of tambon Tha Sathon)? It began when I was talking to Pong (Anchalee Paireerak, core member of PDRC) that Suthep was called a kamnan by the southerners. She said it sounded good and made him look like a man of warmth. She continued calling him "kamnan" on the rally stage and others called him that, too. Last week, several protesters called me "phuyai ban Rajdamnoen" [village chief]," he said with a laugh.

PDRC leaders are planning to create their next piece of history. The protesters will organise marches against Yingluck wherever she goes, if the caretaker premier and her Cabinet do not resign from their posts.

The anti-government protesters will today stage a rally in front of Yingluck's residence on Soi Yothin Patthana 3, parallel to Ekamai-Ram Indra expressway, to again put pressure on her to resign, Satit announced on the stage at Rajdamnoen.

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra may have a strategy to show his younger sister is still strongly supported by rural people. However, he needs to rethink because the PDRC will step up a campaign to show the public that the Yingluck administration is a "failed government", according to Satit.

"We will win if Yingluck quits or the military and government officials are brave enough to fight alongside the people. If they ignore the people's demands, the great mass of people will walk on every street and shutdown Bangkok or the country for a full day. We will rise up to show the people's power to fight the Thaksin regime. We imagine that people will celebrate their victory at the Democracy Monument," Satit said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-26

the people think otherwise

[jackrich]

I would not be surprised if Suthep and his thugs end up preventing people from going to the polling stations.

[goldmonky]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

[goldmonky]

I would not be surprised if Suthep and his thugs end up preventing people from going to the polling stations.

don`t you mean the red shirts

[Nibbles48]

'It is true that an election may |not be the best way out for the |country, without national reform. Obviously, we need reform urgently |to prevent our country from going |further downhill.'

The only way that you will stop the country from going 'downhill further' is to give the people what they want... reform before elections and a reform council that is in no way connected to this government or any of the Shin clan.... That is the minimum the people will accept.

[jackrich]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

Looks like their best chance is the February 2 elections then, no?

If the majority wants this, why don't the Democrats participate?

[Bender]

You know why so many people called Suthep a "kamnan" (a village headman of tambon Tha Sathon)?

i know the answer, i know the answer!

because the word "kamnan" was introduced first by the G.I. who used to call any thai official or village idiot a "conman".

[chooka]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

If the majority of redshirts want the Shinawatra's out then what is all the fuss about. Why the demonstrations, the threats by Suthep against a woman (tough guy) Just wait for the election where the majority of red shirts will vote them out. No gets hurt no need to disrupt polling stations.

[Nibbles48]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

I agree 100%.

People keep quoting that 15 million people don't want that, but I am pretty sure they are quite mistaken.

Opinion is definitely turning, I live in a big red shirt area, and to be honest, it is getting quite difficult to find many around these days.

But even without the change in opinion, 15 million pushing Thaksin onto the other 80% of the country is not exactly what I would consider 'bridge building'. Not with the level of hatred that name inspires.

[goldmonky]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

Looks like their best chance is the February 2 elections then, no?

If the majority wants this, why don't the Democrats participate?

because they are waiting for a reform not from a Shinawatra clan member.

[chooka]

I would not be surprised if Suthep and his thugs end up preventing people from going to the polling stations.

don`t you mean the red shirts

No I think he means Suthep and his brainless thugs. The reds have never mentioned they will disrupt the elections. The reds have hardly been heard of during this and are acting maturely going about their day to day business. They already know they will win the election so no need to carry on like spoilt little rich kids who didn't get the new Ferrari for xmas

I believe it was Suthep who has vowed to disrupt the elections and polling booths not the redshirts. There will be a lot of polling booths north of Bangkok so that is going to take a lot of sheep to cover them all and extremely brave ones to venture north into red territory and use their standover and threatening tactics. I wonder what the life expectancy would be.

[AbuBacon]

The chess game is nearly over dear friends. How many more signs does one need? The poo is going to hit the fan all too soon. These fascists are cowards. They will be the first to run and hide when the clashes begin. It is the students who are most at risk this time. Thai visa readers are hopefully smart enough to get it.

Sent from my Lenovo A516 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Tatsujin]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

Looks like their best chance is the February 2 elections then, no?

If the majority wants this, why don't the Democrats participate?

Try to keep up, is your red talking points sheet not up to date? . . . the anti-Govt protestors want "reform" BEFORE "elections" . . . got it? A non-Politician (i.e. impartial) PM, etc etc. Simple.

Also, the Govt are currently scrambling to retain their power base because rice payments haven't been made on time and this will affect the number of votes they get, for them, the sooner elections happen, the better, cos the longer this drags on, the more support they lose.

[Nibbles48]

The chess game is nearly over dear friends. How many more signs does one need? The poo is going to hit the fan all too soon. These fascists are cowards. They will be the first to run and hide when the clashes begin. It is the students who are most at risk this time. Thai visa readers are hopefully smart enough to get it. Sent from my Lenovo A516 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I am assuming you mean that the reds will hit town and the protesters will all run away apart from the students who will take the flak?

<deleted>.

It is not signed and sealed that we are even in the end game.

If the election goes ahead and is disrupted, that would spark the end game. But knowing the way Thaksin thinks, he will order the elections to be postponed when the heat gets turned up as to buy time for the whole situation to be pulled back from the brink.

What Thaksin needs is time,..... time to scrabble money together to make sure the rice farmers are all paid up from the rice scam, and the new tablets to arrive. But it is just delaying the inevitable. The military only has a certain amount of patience, which must be starting to wear thin.

January 1st could be an interesting day. Many people tend to put themselves into 'resolve mode'.

[jackrich]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

Looks like their best chance is the February 2 elections then, no?

If the majority wants this, why don't the Democrats participate?

Try to keep up, is your red talking points sheet not up to date? . . . the anti-Govt protestors want "reform" BEFORE "elections" . . . got it? A non-Politician (i.e. impartial) PM, etc etc. Simple.

Also, the Govt are currently scrambling to retain their power base because rice payments haven't been made on time and this will affect the number of votes they get, for them, the sooner elections happen, the better, cos the longer this drags on, the more support they lose.

And what reform exactly is that? Suthep has not even once outlined his reform proposals.

I think the people want to know what exatly "reform" means BEFORE putting an "impartial" PM (chosen by Suthep) in place of a democratically elected PM.

[KarenBravo]

The only way that you will stop the country from going 'downhill further' is to give the people what they want... reform before elections and a reform council that is in no way connected to this government or any of the Shin clan.... That is the minimum the people will accept.

Why don't you be honest? When you say the people, what you really mean is Suthep and the Democrats.

That is NOT the people, not even a majority of the people.

[LuckyLew]

I agree they have no right to interrupt the electoral process ... the Thai people need the money they are being paid for their votes 555

[Tatsujin]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

Looks like their best chance is the February 2 elections then, no?

If the majority wants this, why don't the Democrats participate?

Try to keep up, is your red talking points sheet not up to date? . . . the anti-Govt protestors want "reform" BEFORE "elections" . . . got it? A non-Politician (i.e. impartial) PM, etc etc. Simple.

Also, the Govt are currently scrambling to retain their power base because rice payments haven't been made on time and this will affect the number of votes they get, for them, the sooner elections happen, the better, cos the longer this drags on, the more support they lose.

And what reform exactly is that? Suthep has not even once outlined his reform proposals.

I think the people want to know what exatly "reform" means BEFORE putting an "impartial" PM (chosen by Suthep) in place of a democratically elected PM.

Don't be lazy, go look it up, the information you seek is out there.

[Spare]

during French revolution, it was the poor who take back the power, in Thailand its the rich who make a revolution to get it back,

its certainly what they call thainess...

French revolution must not be discussed in Thailand. In fact it has been totally removed from Thai school books.

Please be warned that you could face 5 years jail for each time you post on the subject, under article 112 of LM law.

[Spalpeen]

I would not be surprised if Suthep and his thugs end up preventing people from going to the polling stations.

don`t you mean the red shirts

No I think he means Suthep and his brainless thugs. The reds have never mentioned they will disrupt the elections. The reds have hardly been heard of during this and are acting maturely going about their day to day business. They already know they will win the election so no need to carry on like spoilt little rich kids who didn't get the new Ferrari for xmas

I believe it was Suthep who has vowed to disrupt the elections and polling booths not the redshirts. There will be a lot of polling booths north of Bangkok so that is going to take a lot of sheep to cover them all and extremely brave ones to venture north into red territory and use their standover and threatening tactics. I wonder what the life expectancy would be.

.

Absolutely right. The restraint and self control of the red shirts so far has been very impressive. They understand that the yellow shirts want to lure them onto the streets to engage in violence, which would give the army the excuse they need to stage a coup to "restore order". The red shirts are too clever to take the bait. All they have to do is sit tight until 2nd February.

Some of the posts on this topic are getting quite delusional. After all, the Thai people have already elected TS twice. Then they elected his brother in law. Then they elected his sister. Whatever his faults, there's no doubt who the Thai people want as their prime minister. That's why the so-called 'Democrats' aren't even going to bother lining out for this election.

[Yunla]

I actually quite liked Abhisit originally, I felt that the way he tried to keep the 2010 situation stable for three months, and finally gave in to early elections (which he should not have to do), and also his diplomatic tone, made me like him. I didn't think he was great. I think Batman is great. But I thought Abhisit was OK. I even defended him here, with red stormtroopers flaming me for liking the 'English boy' etc. /yawnmode. Now I don't think that he is OK anymore.

And the reason is that he has stepped outside of the electoral system, and joined the might-is-right overthrow movement, headed by the highly questionable Suthep. I really do wonder who Suthep works for. His actions are very harmful to this nation and to the health of beloved sovereign modules.

But yes, PTP got the most votes. By popularity and also some minor sketchy issues re; vote fraud which are a global problem btw. They have the floor. Let them talk. Etc. They offered up an emergency discussion to Suthep, to try and iron out the internal Parliamentary problems. He declined. That makes him an autocrat - he refuses to accept any groups other than the one he represents.

As I see it Yingluck should serve her full term. The Dems should stop throwing their toys out of their baby-walker and go to Parliament and demand [ under the new spirit of "Yingluck is on the ropes and willing to listen" ] that the Thaksin passport be permanently annulled, amnesty policies permanently cancelled, and demand (in capslock) that Parliamentary mechanics are tinkered with so that no members are shut down, House Speaker role is neutered, and that an airport-security system is applied to policy-queueing, where you have to take off your policy shoes and put them in a little plastic box etc while your policy and your brain get X-rayed in cross-party debate. Also to demand attendance, and punishment for lack thereof. Basically to prioritise the ethos of "you got elected, now do your job, debating issues for the good of the nation" which is almost totally absent here.

Those are all easy steps, to keeping the system going and improving it, and preventing more blood spilled needlessly. Why the Dems don't do this is because (I am becoming increasingly convinced) they don't want parliamentary democracy, they want an unelected power monopoly. It upsets me that they would risk more loss of life and limb over what are basic Parliamentary matters.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Yunla

[Leung Falang]

Even the PM admits reform is overdue, but few would do it without an elected government in place. Central control of everything is not a successful political model. New education ministers every year or less.

The chart shows that Pheu Thai is not a minority party as some posters pretend. The country will evolve, hopefully more slowly than by violent means.

[Alwyn]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

Looks like their best chance is the February 2 elections then, no?

If the majority wants this, why don't the Democrats participate?

Try to keep up, is your red talking points sheet not up to date? . . . the anti-Govt protestors want "reform" BEFORE "elections" . . . got it? A non-Politician (i.e. impartial) PM, etc etc. Simple.

Also, the Govt are currently scrambling to retain their power base because rice payments haven't been made on time and this will affect the number of votes they get, for them, the sooner elections happen, the better, cos the longer this drags on, the more support they lose.

Oh.. Now i get it... Suthet wants to reform the reforms made by his own party a few years ago!!! If as Suthep says (and more importantly, you say)... Everybody wants YL and her "clan" out - including the 'Red Shirts' - then Democrats (the ones that are trying to eredicate democracy at this very moment) will win the election and then be in a position to suggest and implement reforms that are deemed acceptable, right? Thanks for clearing that up for all of us dimwitted people that don't beleive a word of Suthep's rhetoric

[aussieinthailand]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

WOW REALLY??? there well may be more PTP supporters that would like to see a change of leadership, and that's ok, But I see and hear in many different provinces that the shinawatra name is loved and respected,

The problem is that some people in Thailand think they have the right to ,

1. Who can and who cannot be the leader of a political party.

2. some think they have the right to restrict the democratic voting rights and value of other people that don't agree with their political view.

3. some here think they can prevent people from exercising their democratic right to cast a vote.

4. some people think that because a person comes from a particular province then you are stupid, and not equal to other people.

answer me this if you can, do you agree with the national anthem that say's Thailand is for Thai's?

or dose it say that only some that Thailand is for some Thai people and not others.

[Tatsujin]

get the Shinawatra clan out!!!! thats whant the people, want even the majority of the red shirts want this also.

Looks like their best chance is the February 2 elections then, no?

If the majority wants this, why don't the Democrats participate?

Try to keep up, is your red talking points sheet not up to date? . . . the anti-Govt protestors want "reform" BEFORE "elections" . . . got it? A non-Politician (i.e. impartial) PM, etc etc. Simple.

Also, the Govt are currently scrambling to retain their power base because rice payments haven't been made on time and this will affect the number of votes they get, for them, the sooner elections happen, the better, cos the longer this drags on, the more support they lose.

Oh.. Now i get it... Suthet wants to reform the reforms made by his own party a few years ago!!! If as Suthep says (and more importantly, you say)... Everybody wants YL and her "clan" out - including the 'Red Shirts' - then Democrats (the ones that are trying to eredicate democracy at this very moment) will win the election and then be in a position to suggest and implement reforms that are deemed acceptable, right? Thanks for clearing that up for all of us dimwitted people that don't beleive a word of Suthep's rhetoric

You're welcome, but please note that I am not a "supporter" of Suthep, I do see the merit in large scale reforms however.

[toybits]

And when the PDRC does not get what it wants - it throws a tantrum, and releases it dogs like the STR?

[Poryai ChaAm]

I actually quite liked Abhisit originally, I felt that the way he tried to keep the 2010 situation stable for three months, and finally gave in to early elections (which he should not have to do), and also his diplomatic tone, made me like him. I didn't think he was great. I think Batman is great. But I thought Abhisit was OK. I even defended him here, with red stormtroopers flaming me for liking the 'English boy' etc. /yawnmode. Now I don't think that he is OK anymore.

And the reason is that he has stepped outside of the electoral system, and joined the might-is-right overthrow movement, headed by the highly questonable Suthep. I really do wonder who Suthep works for. His actions are very harmful to this nation and to the health of beloved sovereign modules.

But yes, PTP got the most votes. By popularity and also some minor sketchy issues re; vote fraud which are a global problem btw. They have the floor. Let them talk. Etc. They offered up an emergency discussion to Suthep, to try and iron out the internal Parliamentary problems. He declined. That makes him an autocrat - he refuses to accept any groups other than the one he represents.

As I see it Yingluck should serve her full term. The Dems should stop throwing their toys out of their baby-walker and go to Parliament and demand [ under the new spirit of "Yingluck is on the ropes and willing to listen"] that the Thaksin passport annulled, amnesty policies permanently cancelled, and demand (in capslock) that Parliamentary mechanics are tinkered with so that no members are shut down, House Speaker role is neutered, and that an airport-security system is applied to policy-queueing, where you have to take off your policy shoes and put them in a little plastic box etc while your policy and your brain get X-rayed in cross-party debate. Also to demand attendance, and punishment for lack thereof. Basically to prioritise the ethos of "you got elected, now do your job, debating issues for the good of the nation." which is totally absent here.

Those are all easy steps, to keeping the system going and improving it, and preventing more blood spilled needlessly. Why the Dems don't do this is because (I am becoming increasingly convinced) they don't want parliamentary democracy, they want an unelected power monopoly. It upsets me that they would risk more loss of life and limb over what are basic Parliamentary matters.

Well stated Yunla

[toybits]

You assume that THE PEOPLE you refer to is the whole voting population of the Kingdom of Thailand. But actually, you are referring to only a portion of that population. Now the question is "Is that portion a majority or a minority of the Kingdom's population?" Oh! I get it now. Those Kwai in the provinces don't count - Right?

The only way that you will stop the country from going 'downhill further' is to give the people what they want... reform before elections and a reform council that is in no way connected to this government or any of the Shin clan.... That is the minimum the people will accept.