Thailand Live Sunday 26th Jan 2014

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RT@Aim_NT: TR @idongphoto Police in Yala allocate areas for ppl who support and oppose the election to prevent clash. pic.twitter.com/k82qLFKhlt

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Krabi: PDRC supporters at the advance balloting booth. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid…

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Advance voting in Phuket cancelled

The Phuket Election Commission announced cancellation of advance voting in the island southern province at 9.45am.

-- The Nation 2014-01-26

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15 polling stations in Bangkok remain open

BANGKOK: -- As of 10am: 15 Bangkok polling stations still operate are Klong Sam Wa, Klong San, Bangkok Yai, Bang Na, Bang Rak, Thawi Watthana, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Prawet, Phra Khanong, Phasi Charoen, Phra Nakhon, Wang Thonglang, Samphanthawong, Sathon, and Huai Khwang.

Voters can call 0-2224-2945 and 0-2224-3045 to check which advance polling stations in Bangkok are close or open.

-- The Nation 2014-01-26

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RT@vaitor: Pic: Voters at the lat krabang gather to complain to the district office; they don't want to give up easily - pic.twitter.com/G0T8HJZyJm

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RT@terryfrd: 1 theory on passivity of EC officials & police is that it was clear gen. election was going to be postponed. Confrontation not worth it

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Phuket Opinion: Putting the brakes on tourist bike accidents
Phuket Gazette -

Paitoon Sillapavisut says it’s too easy for unqualified foreigners to rent motorbikes. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Paitoon Sillapavisut, 41, is a Nakhon Sri Thammarat native who graduated from Ramkhamhaeng University in Business Management. He has been the senior manager of the Phuket branch of Road Accident Victim Protection Co Ltd Since 1998.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699505-phuket-opinion-putting-the-brakes-on-tourist-bike-accidents/#entry7346574

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RT@tukky_nt: 11am:only 7 out of 50 polling stations in BKK remain open: BMA clerk #NationTV

RT@tukky_nt: 11am: 7 polling stations in BKK remain open; Klong San, Bangkok Yai, Bang Na, Phra Nakhon, Phasi Charoen, Wang Thonglang, and Samphanthawong

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Chalerm blame EC on today situation for not asking for support from police.-@Neaw_NBC

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RT@Lerlaforever: Thai Rath Online: PDRC sec gen Suthep Thaugsuban remains unreachable in a safe-house, observing situations.

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UPDATE:

Advance voting in 19 Bangkok districts, 5 southern provinces suspended
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 26-- Advance voting has been called off some districts of the capital and in five southern provinces as anti-government protesters have surrounded polling stations early today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699485-advance-voting-in-at-least-six-constituencies-cancelled/page-5?p=7346656#entry7346656

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RT@tukky_nt: 11.09am: Security of EC officials is main concern for cancellation of advance voting in several polling stations in BKK:BMA clerk.#NationTV

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Advance voting in Samut Songkram cancelled

BANGKOK: -- Advance voting in Samut Songkram has been cancelled after protesters surrounded the polling station, Election Commission secretary general Phuchong Nutrawong said.

Samut Songkram is the only province of 26 central and eastern provinces - excluding Bangkok - where advance voting was cancelled, he said.

-- The Nation 2014-01-26

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RT@Lerlaforever: Thai Rath Online: Surapong Tovichakchaikul, CAPO chief said those surrounding polling stations and obstructing election are breaking laws

RT@Lerlaforever: Thai Rath Online: He also said measures would be taken against them.

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BKK polling stations closed because of concern over safety of EC officials: BMA clerk

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Clerk Ninnart Chalitanont said at 11.09am that safety of Election Commission officials was the main concern the prompted the EC to cancel advance voting at most of polling stations in the capital.

-- The Nation 2014-01-26

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RT@tukky_nt: "Polling booth closed but you won't lose yr electoral right" a sign was placed at a school in Lat Krabang: pic.twitter.com/AMhQVh8yFI

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Bangsaphan constituency in Prachuabkirikhan has now closed its advance ballot.-@MrNaling

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Surapong: Yingluck to talk to EC on Jan 28. He insists General Election on Feb 2 will not be postponed.-@jeerapong_nna

RT@Tulip_Oum: Surapong: CMPO will call in actors and actresses, that went on PDRC stage, to hear charges.-@jeerapong_nna

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Advance voting in Phuket, Nakon Si Thammarat, Chumphon cancelled

BANGKOK; -- The Election Commission has announced that advance voting in Phuket, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon provinces were cancelled due to blockades by protesters.

-- The Nation 2014-01-26

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RT@terryfrd: Voting has been able to proceed in 3 southernmost provinces although current situation in Yala reported to be tense. /Thai PBS

RT@tulsathit: Law doesn't not allow advanced voters to vote on another day, so let's see.

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RT@tulsathit: Dusit Poll: 43% of Bangkokians surveyed favoured election postponement, while 34% wanted poll to go ahead

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RT@tulsathit: Surapong: Yingluck will meet EC on Tuesday but Feb 2 election will go ahead. via @nnanews

RT@MimiSawitta: Early voting proceeding smoothly in north, northeast of Thailand election official tells us.

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RT@Lerlaforever: Bluesky: CAPO chief Surapong would seek court orders for actors, actresses and singers who joined rallies after the emergency decree.

RT@Lerlaforever: Bluesky: Expected actors& actresses include Pongphat, Chatchai, Sinjai and Joe's Nuveau, Jay Jettrin and Eet's Fly for singers.

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RT@Aim_NT: CMPO Surapong said the EC closed the advance voting too soon when it could have continued in 66 provinces. Via @Sununtawadee

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Police officer injured in Pattani bombing

PATTANI, Jan 26--- A police officer was wounded in a bomb ambush in Yarang district of this restive southern province.

The explosion injured Pol Lt Col Kaweerat Boonkong and damaged a police vehicle, according to Pol Col Wasan Puangnoi, chief of Yarang police station.

The attack occurred Sunday morning on Yarang-Yabi road as five policemen on a police pick-up truck were patrolling to provide security and facilitate the advance voting.

As the vehicle was passing Baan Krue Se village, a bomb which was buried in the road was detonated, injuring the officer and damaging the vehicle. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-26

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Deputy PM: 2 Feb election will go ahead despite obstruction of advance poll in some areas

BANGKOK, 26 January 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovijakchaikul has announced that the government will issue arrest warrants for violators of the Emergency Decree and those who obstructed the advance poll on Sunday. Mr Surapong confirmed the election on 2 February 2014 will not be postponed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699546-deputy-pm-2-feb-election-will-go-ahead-despite-obstruction-of-advance-poll-in-some-areas/

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UPDATE:

CMPO chief blames Election Commission for advance poll fiasco

BANGKOK, 26 January 2014 (NNT) - The director of the Center for Managing Peace and Order (CMPO) has called for the Election Commission (EC) to accept responsibility for its failure to organize the advanced poll in some constituencies after anti-government protests blocked the entrances of the polling stations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699485-advance-voting-in-at-least-six-constituencies-cancelled/page-8?p=7347210#entry7347210

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Surapong: Enforcement of Emergency Decree constitutional

BANGKOK, 26 January 2014 (NNT) – The government has assured that its decision to invoke the Emergency Decree was constitutional as well as to protect the country’s democracy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, as an advisor to the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), said the government had the right to issue the state of emergency and the enforcement was for the peace and the benefit of the society as well as to maintain Thailand’s democracy.

He added that under the state of emergency, people can still carry on their daily lives as usual, because the law is being enforced only against the protesters and those violating the law.

The CMPO advisor also assured members of the public of the government’s measures to handle the situation, saying government officers would not use force to crack down on the protesters.

Lastly, Mr. Surapong asked the protesters not to block entrances to state buildings and allow government officials and civil servants to carry out their duties as normal.

-- NNT 2014-01-26

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UPDATE:

Election Commission Gives Up On Advance Voting

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- Citing protests at the election venues, the Election Commission (EC) has canceled scores of advance voting locations in Bangkok and other provinces.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699485-advance-voting-in-at-least-six-constituencies-cancelled/page-8?p=7347264#entry7347264

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RT@terryfrd: Angry residents of Lat Krabang demand EC let them vote.Are officials still there? Pic by Pattarachai Preechapanich pic.twitter.com/vTbYPcQO1C