Phuket Pheu Thai candidate braves protest to enroll

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Pheu Thai candidate braves protest to enroll
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: One lone candidate yesterday braved the hundreds-strong protest in front of the Community Hall in Phuket Town to register in the February 2 national election.

Jirayus Songyos registered as a Pheu Thai candidate for Voting District 2, which encompasses Phuket Town and the south of the island

“So far, he is the only candidate registered to contest a seat in the February 2 election,” confirmed Phuket Election Commission (PEC) Director Kittipong Thiengkunakrit.

Mr Jirayus, 42, is a former consultant to Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) President Paiboon Upatising. In 2011, he contested District 2 as a candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party

Yesterday, he arrived at the Community Hall at about 8:30am and was escorted into the building by an entourage of about 20 people.

As he walked through the crowd, the protesters blew their whistles loudly, but did not block his path. In contrast, just a day earlier, the protesters blocked all access to the center, forcing the PEC to close the first day of candidate registration early (story here).

After formally registering his candidacy, Mr Jirayus left the center, again without incident. He declined to comment to the media or talk with protesters.

Meanwhile, protest leader Suratin Lian-udom, the former Mayor of Rassada, repeated: “The protesters in Bangkok must succeed in the formation of the People’s Council before any elections are held.”

“We were unaware that Mr Jirayus was coming to register for the election. Regardless, that is his right,” PEC Director Kittipong told the Phuket Gazette.

“We have yet to be informed whether or not a candidate will be coming to register for Phuket Voting District 1,” he added.

Mr Kittipong confirmed that the two officials nominated to administer the polls in each of Phuket’s two electorates have resigned.

“Tawatchai Thongmung of District 1 and Somjit Limpattanawong of District 2 resigned their positions at 9am yesterday,” Mr Kittipong noted.

“Regardless, candidates can continue to register as usual. Registration will close on January 1,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-Pheu-Thai-candidate-braves-protest-to-enroll-23132.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-12-30

[Emptyset]

Maybe this is what Democrats in the NE should do instead of constant whining about not being able to campaign (I mean, what do you expect after 2010?)...

[Local Drunk]

Maybe this is what Democrats in the NE should do instead of constant whining about not being able to campaign (I mean, what do you expect after 2010?)...

I dunno Empty... The NE is not the safest place to say... "I hate Thaksin" My gut feeling is this is going to drag on till June. Hope I'm wrong.

[Emptyset]

Maybe this is what Democrats in the NE should do instead of constant whining about not being able to campaign (I mean, what do you expect after 2010?)...

I dunno Empty... The NE is not the safest place to say... "I hate Thaksin" My gut feeling is this is going to drag on till June. Hope I'm wrong.

And the South is not the safest place to campaign for his party either... yet the show must go on. (At least imo. Obviously this is going to drag on and on though).

[Thailand]

"Meanwhile, protest leader Suratin Lian-udom, the former Mayor of Rassada, repeated: The protesters in Bangkok must succeed in the formation of the Peoples Council before any elections are held.

Oxymoron?

[chainarong]

Quiet obvious if people cannot go about their normal business, then public disobedience must be controlled by the police, as we all know they are next to useless, the only other option is to bring in the military, if this is not done, then mob rule will control Thailand, this sets a dangerous precedence as the mob will consider themselves above the law , this then can roll on out of control for sometime, dose Thailand deserve this, in my opinion I think not.

[gerry1011]

Quite courageous from this PT candidate.

At least he does not bow to Suthep's dictatorship.

Shame on the EC members who resigned cowardly...

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[soi41]

"Meanwhile, protest leader Suratin Lian-udom, the former Mayor of Rassada, repeated: The protesters in Bangkok must succeed in the formation of the Peoples Council before any elections are held.

Oxymoron?

No, just repeating the words of the Dear Leader like a:

That it is a little out of context, is another story!!

[bangarang]

Im not for the PTP but blocking access to a candidate to register really takes away from the democratic process. Not allowing competition really shows that your anti-corruption right?

Im for the Anti-Gov protestors complaints but sometimes it feels like they are hypocrites as well. I just hope whatever happens Visa restrictions loosen up a bit but im sure thats more of a pipe dream.

[Ulic]

Does this mean when he votes for himself me will win the seat representing his riding?

Up to Suthep if he does not want to contest the election I guess.

[PeterSmiles]

My gut feeling is this is going to drag on till June. Hope I'm wrong.

Hope you're right, because that would mean that the 180 days for the amnesty bill to be send back to parliament have passed, and the bill is definitely invalidated.

[PeterSmiles]

Quite courageous from this PT candidate.

At least he does not bow to Suthep's dictatorship.

Shame on the EC members who resigned cowardly...

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Congratulations to the EC members who used common sense and resigned .

[whybother]

Does this mean when he votes for himself me will win the seat representing his riding?

Up to Suthep if he does not want to contest the election I guess.

If he is the only candidate he needs to get more than 20% of the vote, including none-of-the-above votes, to win the seat.

Sent from my phone ...

[JRSoul]

Maybe this is what Democrats in the NE should do instead of constant whining about not being able to campaign (I mean, what do you expect after 2010?)...

I dunno Empty... The NE is not the safest place to say... "I hate Thaksin" My gut feeling is this is going to drag on till June. Hope I'm wrong.

And the South is not the safest place to campaign for his party either... yet the show must go on. (At least imo. Obviously this is going to drag on and on though).

PTP candidates regularly appear on southern ballots, even in the far south. I am yet to hear of PTP rallies being blockaded or bombarded with projectiles, of candidates or canvassers being assaulted or killed, or members of their families being assaulted or killed. Can you say the same for the north or NE in regard to Democrat candidates and their supporters?

The Democrats are "hated" in that area because of the propaganda put out by Thaksin and his stooges. If they were better informed, and had the education and intelligence to see through PTP's lies, much of the political problems facing this country might disappear.

[rickirs]

“We were unaware that Mr Jirayus was coming to register for the election." So what, the polls are open for registration, it's not like seeing the doctor. Where does Kittipong get off being told anything, so he can have the candidate ambushed and blocked from registering, or worse? What is he, the anti-election police?