Caretaker govt advises EC use of army, police venues for election registration in South

[webfact]

Caretaker govt advises EC use of army, police venues for election registration in South
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 30 - Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) head Surapong Tovichakchaikul says the caretaker government is advising the Election Commission (EC) to use army and police premises for election registration in 8 southern provinces where protesters are blocking the process.

Mr Surapong, concurrently caretaker deputy prime minister/foreign minister, made the announcement today after a meeting of government representatives and some election commissioners.

He said the caretaker government is ready to hold a general election by supporting the EC to conduct it. He said whether the EC will consider using the army and/or police venues for election registration depends on the EC whose commissioners were discussing the matter following the meeting.

Earlier this afternoon, Supachai Somcharoen, Election Commission (EC) chairman, said there would be no change of election registration venues for eight southern provinces where registration could not take place due to rallies by People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters.

Speaking while visiting officials on duty for election registration at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, Mr Supachai said that the election registration in the eight southern provinces is now temporarily halted probably until January 1.

The provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon, Phuket, Phattalung, Krabi, Songkhla, Trang and Surat Thani.

There would be no change of registration venues, he affirmed, following provincial election commissions in Chumphon and Phuket having already asked for the change of venues to instead use army and police premises for registration.

Mr Supachai claimed that the EC wanted to mainly use civil space for election registration, noting that using army or police premises could lead to losses as in the clash at the Thai-Japanese sports stadium where lives were lost.

Meanwhile, Akanat Promphan, spokesman of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), reasserted the group's strong standpoint for reform before a national election.

He said so far no election commissioners had officially contacted the PDRC for talks on election postponement. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-12-30

[rubl]

Nice suggestion to use army and police premises , but does this fall within the authority of the EC? Also with "noting that using army or police premises could lead to losses" the CAPO chief seems to suggest the EC take a route which may lead to more violence.

Puzzling attitude from a CAPO chief and not-so-caretaking deputy prime minister/foreign minister

[Thailand]

Sensible precaution bearing in mind the intimidation from Sutheps minions at standard venues.

[dinom]

Nice suggestion to use army and police premises , but does this fall within the authority of the EC? Also with "noting that using army or police premises could lead to losses" the CAPO chief seems to suggest the EC take a route which may lead to more violence.

Puzzling attitude from a CAPO chief and not-so-caretaking deputy prime minister/foreign minister

Not really puzzling, he and his T-party want to force the election by all means.

[h90]

force elections with the gun.....maybe invite observer from North Korea...they have experience with these kinds of elections.

[soi41]

Sensible precaution bearing in mind the intimidation from Sutheps minions at standard venues.

Fair enough! But there was plenty of police present at the standard venues, problem was they didn't do anything!!

So now they are going to stand outside the policestation doing nothing??

If they are not all out rallying against their bosses!!

[Thailand]

Sensible precaution bearing in mind the intimidation from Sutheps minions at standard venues.

Fair enough! But there was plenty of police present at the standard venues, problem was they didn't do anything!!

So now they are going to stand outside the policestation doing nothing??

If they are not all out rallying against their bosses!!

The option was army or police premises, I know which one I would take?

[rubl]

Sensible precaution bearing in mind the intimidation from Sutheps minions at standard venues.

Fair enough! But there was plenty of police present at the standard venues, problem was they didn't do anything!!

So now they are going to stand outside the policestation doing nothing??

If they are not all out rallying against their bosses!!

The option was army or police premises, I know which one I would take?

That doesn't explain why the police present seems so ineffective

[slapout]

If there was ever there is a need for an example of a complete lack of leadership, of productive accomplishment and an appearance of just having slithered out of the cesspool of life, this individual would be a prime example.

He does fit quite well in this caretaker government as he seems to be one of several who are capable of pissing people off just by putting in an appearance. Then to further degrade a bad situation , he opens his mouth and makes noises.

[bunny11kk]

How about having the police smashing all their vehicles so that the protestors need to stay home? You know we hardly have public transpiration in the southern Thailand. This would definitely work!

[bunny11kk]

If there was ever there is a need for an example of a complete lack of leadership, of productive accomplishment and an appearance of just having slithered out of the cesspool of life, this individual would be a prime example.

He does fit quite well in this caretaker government as he seems to be one of several who are capable of pissing people off just by putting in an appearance. Then to further degrade a bad situation , he opens his mouth and makes noises.

This is his talent like X Men! Not many people can do that you know.

[Rich teacher]

If there was ever there is a need for an example of a complete lack of leadership, of productive accomplishment and an appearance of just having slithered out of the cesspool of life, this individual would be a prime example.

He does fit quite well in this caretaker government as he seems to be one of several who are capable of pissing people off just by putting in an appearance. Then to further degrade a bad situation , he opens his mouth and makes noises.

Way better than Kasit Piromya though!

[Scamper]

Both the administration and the EC continue to talk over each other's heads, as if in tacit acknowledgement that they haven't really been able to connect privately ( which from Pheu Thai's point of view, means not willing to acquiesce ). So the public announcements by Surapong - the head of CAPO, deputy prime minister, foreign minister and cousin of Thaksin - are to little avail, except to cement the impression that the administration is really powerless over the decisions of the EC. The EC has made clear - and has reiterated today - that civilian venues are the only ones they will consider. The EC has the final word on these things, not the administration. And so the state of these constituencies in the South are very much up in the air. To date, about 10 % of parliament is uncontested from these constituencies, which is about 5 % more than is allowed for a functioning parliament ( barring of course, any further candidates that are unable to exceed the vote count of the " no " vote - quite likely to happen in Bangkok in at least some instances, as well as other parts of the South ). So it's a pickle. A pickle with no solution.

[fab4]

Sensible precaution bearing in mind the intimidation from Sutheps minions at standard venues.

Fair enough! But there was plenty of police present at the standard venues, problem was they didn't do anything!!

So now they are going to stand outside the policestation doing nothing??

If they are not all out rallying against their bosses!!

The option was army or police premises, I know which one I would take?

That doesn't explain why the police present seems so ineffective

Maybe this from another thread may help your understanding

"BANGKOK: -- About 500 policemen rallied at the Royal Plaza Monday morning in a rare show of force to express their resentment against their superiors for the lenient handling of the protesters."

In other words it looks like someone has told the Senior Police to handle the protesters with kid gloves and the boys at the bottom don't like the idea but have to do as they're told. Eventually that's going to give and we've seen a few examples already.

[Robby nz]

Sure I read somewhere that those (EC people) who run the elections in 7 southern provinces have resigned.

If that is true then who will do the registration regardless of where it is supposed to be held ?

[soi41]

Why create those situations where confrontation is almost 100% granted??

Register online and send the necessary paperwork with Thai Post or a courier service!

Or is that too simple??

[Robby nz]

Why create those situations where confrontation is almost 100% granted??

Register online and send the necessary paperwork with Thai Post or a courier service!

Or is that too simple??

Yes indeed " Why create those situations where confrontation is almost 100% granted??" I think you meant guaranteed, but no problem.

You will have to ask PT that one as they are the ones creating the situation.

All they have to do is for Yingluck to step aside them agree to postpone the election and start a reform process.

Or is that too simple??

[tomross46]

The EC will give orders to the Army and the Police? Is there a problem with the PM? She is giving command to the EC? Why?

[h90]

If there was ever there is a need for an example of a complete lack of leadership, of productive accomplishment and an appearance of just having slithered out of the cesspool of life, this individual would be a prime example.

He does fit quite well in this caretaker government as he seems to be one of several who are capable of pissing people off just by putting in an appearance. Then to further degrade a bad situation , he opens his mouth and makes noises.

Way better than Kasit Piromya though!

Well Kasit was incompetent and complete crazy.

While Surapong is incompetent and serving the criminal on the run instead of Thailand.

Hard to tell which is worse...both shouldn't even lead a Som Tam kitchen...

[daboyz1]

Why would the police do anything? They didn't do anything in 2010. They just stood around while Bangkok was held hostage for 2 months and then set on fire.

[ramrod711]

Protest death toll rises to eight

Yingluck to be charged with murder? I can see her outside the court now, It wasn't my fault, my family doesn't want power, only peace. Is there any way we can cram some more Shins on to the public purse? By the way, did i mention that we don't want power, give me a second, i'll work up some false tears.

[tomacht8]

Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) head Surapong Tovichakchaikul says the caretaker government is advising the Election Commission (EC) to use army!

Sending some tanks to the south?
For Peace and Order?

He is Thaksin Shinwatra's cousin in-law; Sumalee Tovichakchaikul (Surapong's aunt) married to Satien Shinawatra, Thaksin's uncle.
Surapong has 2 children: Nuttapong Tovichakchaikul and Supisara Tovichakchaikul.

24 ม.ค. 2555
Thailand's Opposition Democrat Party on Tuesday filed an impeachment petition against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul for their alleged roles in connection with the return of a Thai passport to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Surapong infringed several foreign ministry regulations including the return of a passport to a person with an outstanding arrest warrant.

In December, Mr Surapong disclosed that an ordinary passport was returned to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin as a ‘New Year's gift’ for him.

Nice family business they have built up here.

http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=4ff674b70b01dabf3c03d5a8#.UsF3g_RdUrQ

In other countries, is - aid to escape- an criminal offense!

[SamMunich]

I doubt, registration is allowed in a non-public space like a military installation. A police station might be something different, but then,- this would look too much like a police state, aka banana republic. We wouldn't want that, right?

As for remote registration I also think there is the problem, that the contestants have to show up in person to make sure, the person does in fact exist. Similar to applying for a visa extention or a work permit for foreigners...

And finally the EC does not want to take sides in this ongoing conflict, but they want to make sure, that their (voluntary?) staff is not affected, e.g. by getting beaten up.

I think, the PTP and their Dubai boss did miscalculate this one and now they try to adjust things by applying pressure as needed.

[bigbamboo]

With old Surapong being a bit long in the tooth these days I think the Boss should have got another member of the family to be the capo da CAPO. He's already got two caretaking jobs as DPM and FM, surely that's enough for the old boy to handle now.

[happynthailand]

Sensible precaution bearing in mind the intimidation from Sutheps minions at standard venues.

Fair enough! But there was plenty of police present at the standard venues, problem was they didn't do anything!!

So now they are going to stand outside the policestation doing nothing??

If they are not all out rallying against their bosses!!

The option was army or police premises, I know which one I would take?

That doesn't explain why the police present seems so ineffective

thats easy not enuff donuts to go around

[SamMunich]

Folks, the police will NEVER get a sufficient salary. With higer salaries come higher expectations. Others are working for 300 Baht or less a day, labouring in construction for 12 or more hours and they are content. A police officer will never ever agree, that he is paid well. Else he has no pretext for getting his palms greased... In fact police can get free housing and free meals, they can use police transportations, all police stations have places, where they can eat and/or drink for free... how much more do they want??? Housing and meals alone, I would estimate at 5,000 Baht a month.

[Soi Sauce]

Nice suggestion to use army and police premises , but does this fall within the authority of the EC? Also with "noting that using army or police premises could lead to losses" the CAPO chief seems to suggest the EC take a route which may lead to more violence.

Puzzling attitude from a CAPO chief and not-so-caretaking deputy prime minister/foreign minister

Not really puzzling, he and his T-party want to force the election by all means.

Welcome the the Thailand Tea Party. Too much at stake not to force the election ,and not too much time in which to eatablish the, long time, planned, dictatorial dynasty before the people actually realise what is happening.

At least the Boston Tea party was about no tax and democracy. The Thai version seems to be about taxing and omnipotency.

Know what I mean?

.

[khunsiam]

Why create those situations where confrontation is almost 100% granted??

Register online and send the necessary paperwork with Thai Post or a courier service!

Or is that too simple??

Yes indeed " Why create those situations where confrontation is almost 100% granted??" I think you meant guaranteed, but no problem.

You will have to ask PT that one as they are the ones creating the situation.

All they have to do is for Yingluck to step aside them agree to postpone the election and start a reform process.

Or is that too simple??

we have already a people's democratic reform committee (PDRC), why don't they come up with a reform bill?

[Thaddeus]

Why don't CAPO use a name that is more suited to them.

Joy Division.

[webfact]

Govt bid to have police, Army host registrations
The Nation


Anti-government protesters

Use of bases would require EC approval; applications blocked in South for third day

BANGKOK: -- The government has suggested registering election candidates for constituencies in the South at local military bases or police stations if the process continues to be disrupted by anti-government protesters - but such a move would require the approval of the Election Commission, Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said yesterday.

Surapong was speaking after he and other key government figures met with Election Commission (EC) chairman Supachai Somcharoen and other EC members to discuss the failure of candidacy registrations in eight southern provinces in the wake of pressure by local supporters of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Individual constituency registrations failed in another seven provinces in the South yesterday, the third consecutive day on which disruptions have occurred. The registrations are scheduled to end on Thursday.

Candidates from the ruling Pheu Thai Party managed to register in Phuket yesterday, however.

Surapong said the Defence Ministry permanent secretary and the Royal Thai Police commissioner, both of whom were present at the 90-minute talks yesterday, had approved the use of facilities under their respective authorities as registration locations. "It is ultimately up to the EC whether to take this option, which was raised at the joint discussion yesterday to find a way out of the situation."

EC chairman Supachai said earlier that an EC evaluation of the registration process would be made on Thursday, and a report on the situation would be submitted to the caretaker government.

He said if elections fail to be organised in certain constituencies, the caretaker government could issue a royal decree to postpone those votes. The decree would have to be issued before February 2, the scheduled date of the election.

"But after the date in February, a separate consideration will be made by the EC," he added.

In his earlier statement, Supachai said military barracks would not be an ideal location for registration, because a fair election should be organised entirely by civilian authorities, but the option was on the table as a last resort.

"We would not wish to see applicants transported in armoured personnel carriers to undergo registration, while police stations holding registrations would certainly be targeted [by protesters]," he said.

"All EC members have agreed against these scenarios."

Supachai would not disclose details of a meeting between the EC and government figures on Sunday. He said what was discussed should lead to a way out of the problem, as "the caretaker government has eased its tough stance and offered a goodwill gesture, but I will not speak further on this meeting," he said.

He said high-ranking former Democrat MPs had agreed to meet with the EC today, but the PDRC leadership had not responded to an EC request that they join the talks.

Pheu Thai Party leader and caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan announced earlier that the EC was authorised to postpone voting only in case of natural disasters - not to call off an entire election. The EC would be guilty of malfeasance if it failed to perform its duties, he said.

Supachai and all the other commissioners yesterday visited Bangkok's

Thai-Japanese Stadium to observe candidacy registration for individual constituencies. He said later that three unnamed EC members said registration could be postponed if there was a recurrence of the violence that erupted there on December 26.

Local EC members yesterday resigned under pressure from anti-government supporters in several locations, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Krabi, prompting Pheu Thai candidates to file complaints with police charging the protesters with interrupting an election.

They also threatened to file charges against the EC officials for failing to perform their duties.


-- The Nation 2013-12-31