PDRC sets up rally stage to stymie advance voting in Surat Thani

[Lite Beer]

PDRC sets up rally stage to stymie advance voting in Surat Thani
The Sunday Nation

SURAT THANI: -- Leaders of People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in Surat Thani began setting up a rally stage yesterday afternoon, in front of Police Provincial Bureau 8's Police Training Centre in Muang district. The police-training centre will be used as a polling station for advance voting today.

PDRC leaders said its guards would stay overnight at the stage to prepare for anti-government protesters who will gather at the polling station to rally against today's advance voting.

They said they would seal off all entrances and exits to the polling station, but would not destroy any property or prevent the police from performing their duty.

Meanwhile, PDRC protesters led by Somsong Srinok marched from Lat Phrao intersection to Prachaniwet School to prevent advance-election training.

They called on the school's management to stop the training and asked to enter the school to campaign against an election. Protesters threatened to force their way into the school, if they were not allowed in peacefully.

Some election officials left the school immediately, while others stayed on to observe the situation. Officials were allowed to leave without any repercussions.

-- The Nation 2014-01-26

[Nowhereman60]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

[pookiki]

It is very sad that the government allows this to happen. Any political rally should not be permitted in the vicinity of a polling site. Police and/or Army personnel should be at the site to insure that people can vote without fear of intimidation. The protestors are destroying by anarchy the same system they say they want to protect from corruption.

[jdinasia]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

Ummm I see no threat of bodily harm in that article, your "southern thugs" comment (in various threads) seems a bit absurd as well. While certainly many of the guards are from the South, the majority of protesters are not. Why them being from the same region as the leader seems to bother you, I have no idea. They are Thais. They are practicing civil disobedience. The protests have been largely non violent and when violent mostly by the allied but separate NSPRT group or the RU student group along with the redshirts.

Keep coming back though. It is always good to see how those that see Suthep as evil think.

[tsnyder]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

By intimate, do you mean like spooning or cuddling? What's the harm in that?

[moradave]

The most important thing in a democracy is the RIGHT to vote. To take away that right by intimidation is a crime of the highest magnitude and should be punished to the maximum allowed by the law.

[Nowhereman60]

So where are the police and soldiers that were promise to be at the polling stations? Plus of course Suthep and his thugs lied again about not blocking people from voting. Just another day in Lawless Bangkok.

[soi41]

They are not only intimidating and bullying, but stupid as well!!

To harass the people, who traditionally vote for you?? Pure genius!!

Try to pull your stunts in Korat, Surin or Buriram! Haven't got the balls?

Still anyone doubting the neo-facistic nature of this movement??

Building outside the policestation, whilst the BIB are sitting on their lazy backsides watching??

[NongKhaiKid]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

Their training videos were made in 2010 by a mob under the control of two now cabinet ministers but of course that's different.

Before you start don't agree with their plans.

[Emptyset]

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 35m

PDRC protesters, led by Thavorn Senneam, arrived at Bang Kapi polling station. EC officials were barred access (6am). #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 21m

PDRC protesters locked gate of Dusit polling station at Sukhothai School (where Gen Prem will vote) & chased EC officials away #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 9m

More than 80,000 voters registered for advanced voting at Bang Kapi polling station are disenfranchised due to obstruction by PDRC. SHAME!

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 8m

PDRC protesters blocking access to Saphan Sung polling station. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 6m

Jatujak polling station at St John College is surrounded by PDRC protesters. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 2m

Polling stations for advance voting in BKK's Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Jatujak & Dusit districts are blocked by PDRC. (7.30am)

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk now

EC officials at Klong Toey polling station announced voting is canceled due to obstruction by PDRC protesters. (7.35am)

etc.

[Nowhereman60]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

Their training videos were made in 2010 by a mob under the control of two now cabinet ministers but of course that's different.

Before you start don't agree with their plans.

You seem to think if they could do it in 2010 it's ok now. That's very stupid logic.

[chooka]

These are the same people who complain that their human rights are being taken away by the emergency decree and they are saying to hell with everyone else's rights as this is all about me and me alone the rest the country can take a flying jump just respect me. Time to move the Army and police in so people can use their right to vote. It is not a democracy when one side wants to set up their unelected council to rule and it prohibits the majority from voting.

[NongKhaiKid]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

Their training videos were made in 2010 by a mob under the control of two now cabinet ministers but of course that's different.

Before you start don't agree with their plans.

You seem to think if they could do it in 2010 it's ok now. That's very stupid logic.

I said I didn't agree with their plans which seems clear enough although maybe too complicated for you.

[tsnyder]

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 35m

PDRC protesters, led by Thavorn Senneam, arrived at Bang Kapi polling station. EC officials were barred access (6am). #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 21m

PDRC protesters locked gate of Dusit polling station at Sukhothai School (where Gen Prem will vote) & chased EC officials away #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 9m

More than 80,000 voters registered for advanced voting at Bang Kapi polling station are disenfranchised due to obstruction by PDRC. SHAME!

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 8m

PDRC protesters blocking access to Saphan Sung polling station. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 6m

Jatujak polling station at St John College is surrounded by PDRC protesters. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 2m

Polling stations for advance voting in BKK's Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Jatujak & Dusit districts are blocked by PDRC. (7.30am)

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk now

EC officials at Klong Toey polling station announced voting is canceled due to obstruction by PDRC protesters. (7.35am)

We were told emphatically by pontificating members on the forum yesterday that there were only a few dozen protesters left.

It's amazing that so few could do so much.

[Emptyset]

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 35m

PDRC protesters, led by Thavorn Senneam, arrived at Bang Kapi polling station. EC officials were barred access (6am). #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 21m

PDRC protesters locked gate of Dusit polling station at Sukhothai School (where Gen Prem will vote) & chased EC officials away #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 9m

More than 80,000 voters registered for advanced voting at Bang Kapi polling station are disenfranchised due to obstruction by PDRC. SHAME!

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 8m

PDRC protesters blocking access to Saphan Sung polling station. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 6m

Jatujak polling station at St John College is surrounded by PDRC protesters. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 2m

Polling stations for advance voting in BKK's Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Jatujak & Dusit districts are blocked by PDRC. (7.30am)

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk now

EC officials at Klong Toey polling station announced voting is canceled due to obstruction by PDRC protesters. (7.35am)

We were told emphatically by pontificating members on the forum yesterday that there were only a few dozen protesters left.

It's amazing that so few could do so much.

You only need 50 - 100 to go to each polling station, especially if police aren't going to do anything.

[Thailand]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

Their training videos were made in 2010 by a mob under the control of two now cabinet ministers but of course that's different.

Before you start don't agree with their plans.

So you have no problem intimidating and preventing voters exercising their rights?

[Thailand]

Suthep and his Thaugs are now showing their true colors with outright threat and intimidation. Now is the time to actually carry out the arrest warrants for him and top dogs - Chalerm needs the balls to act and stop talking.

[NongKhaiKid]

more violence from the southern thugs, intimate people with bodily harm if they don't do what they say.

Their training videos were made in 2010 by a mob under the control of two now cabinet ministers but of course that's different.

Before you start don't agree with their plans.

So you have no problem intimidating and preventing voters exercising their rights?

I said I don't agree with their plans ? Am I going too fast for you ?

[Nowhereman60]

It seems there are a lot of Thais born with a pair of balls. From the Police, Army and EC. And then you have the southern thugs who can only fight if 50 of them are together.

[jaltsc]

"Protesters threatened to force their way into the school, if they were not allowed in peacefully."

Isn't that the same threat Hitler made against Poland before invading?

Edited January 26, 2014 by jaltsc

[BlueNoseCodger]

It is very sad that the government allows this to happen. Any political rally should not be permitted in the vicinity of a polling site. Police and/or Army personnel should be at the site to insure that people can vote without fear of intimidation. The protestors are destroying by anarchy the same system they say they want to protect from corruption.

The government? No.

The way it works is small mob of people chain up polling station. EC refuses to ask police to clear the protestors, so police can do nothing. EC cancels that voting session, just as it failed to register candidates in the south.

The protestors are just the clown show, the real problem here is the EC.

Notice how his mob knows where and when the advanced training sessions are held?

Edited January 26, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[sixfiftysevenmember]

Have just been reading that most of Bangkok's polling stations are now closed. In the UK I am a middle of the road Conservative so tend to support that party and would most probably be a Democrat if I were Thai. Why do I say this, well I think the protesters have crossed the line however much I empathise with the feelings and wishes.

I hope the situation does not turn ugly because the average Thai deserves better.

[whybother]

So where are the police and soldiers that were promise to be at the polling stations? Plus of course Suthep and his thugs lied again about not blocking people from voting. Just another day in Lawless Bangkok.

"So where are the police and soldiers that were promise to be at the polling stations? "

That's an excellent question. It's amazing that what seems like a few dozen protesters can shut down polling stations all over Bangkok. The CMPO seem to be useless in stopping the protesters.

[whybother]

It is very sad that the government allows this to happen. Any political rally should not be permitted in the vicinity of a polling site. Police and/or Army personnel should be at the site to insure that people can vote without fear of intimidation. The protestors are destroying by anarchy the same system they say they want to protect from corruption.

The government? No.

The way it works is small mob of people chain up polling station. EC refuses to ask police to clear the protestors, so police can do nothing. EC cancels that voting session, just as it failed to register candidates in the south.

The protestors are just the clown show, the real problem here is the EC.

Notice how his mob knows where and when the advanced training sessions are held?

Why would the EC need to ask the police to do anything? Don't the police already have instructions from the CMPO to make sure the polling stations stay open?

[Mentors]

A shame for Surat where i live and my wife comes from. Many here just follow the rich Godfather. Thanks for the still very poor infrastructure.

[aarn]

Yeah rally here in Prachuap 0600 Sunday adds to the ambience of pullulating soi dogs and misfiring motorcycles when I am out jogging. AA

[tsnyder]

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 35m

PDRC protesters, led by Thavorn Senneam, arrived at Bang Kapi polling station. EC officials were barred access (6am). #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 21m

PDRC protesters locked gate of Dusit polling station at Sukhothai School (where Gen Prem will vote) & chased EC officials away #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 9m

More than 80,000 voters registered for advanced voting at Bang Kapi polling station are disenfranchised due to obstruction by PDRC. SHAME!

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 8m

PDRC protesters blocking access to Saphan Sung polling station. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 6m

Jatujak polling station at St John College is surrounded by PDRC protesters. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 2m

Polling stations for advance voting in BKK's Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Jatujak & Dusit districts are blocked by PDRC. (7.30am)

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk now

EC officials at Klong Toey polling station announced voting is canceled due to obstruction by PDRC protesters. (7.35am)

We were told emphatically by pontificating members on the forum yesterday that there were only a few dozen protesters left.

It's amazing that so few could do so much.

You only need 50 - 100 to go to each polling station, especially if police aren't going to do anything.

But we were assured just yesterday by vociferous experts that there weren't even that many protesters left.

[tsnyder]

The protestors are just the clown show, the real problem here is the EC.

Notice how his mob knows where and when the advanced training sessions are held?

Did you not notice that these are polling stations?

Do you not know that polling station locations are publicly known and tend to be the same ones election after election?

[Sunderland]

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 35m

PDRC protesters, led by Thavorn Senneam, arrived at Bang Kapi polling station. EC officials were barred access (6am). #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 21m

PDRC protesters locked gate of Dusit polling station at Sukhothai School (where Gen Prem will vote) & chased EC officials away #Thailand

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 9m

More than 80,000 voters registered for advanced voting at Bang Kapi polling station are disenfranchised due to obstruction by PDRC. SHAME!

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 8m

PDRC protesters blocking access to Saphan Sung polling station. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 6m

Jatujak polling station at St John College is surrounded by PDRC protesters. Voters can't enter.

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 2m

Polling stations for advance voting in BKK's Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Jatujak & Dusit districts are blocked by PDRC. (7.30am)

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk now

EC officials at Klong Toey polling station announced voting is canceled due to obstruction by PDRC protesters. (7.35am)

We were told emphatically by pontificating members on the forum yesterday that there were only a few dozen protesters left.

It's amazing that so few could do so much.

You only need 50 - 100 to go to each polling station, especially if police aren't going to do anything.

Absolutely right. The same thing occurred to me back in December when the idea of blocking Bangkok started to be talked about. Rather than have 7 stages, I thought they were going to literally send 50-100 people to every main intersection and block it by sitting in the road or parking some trucks across the road. Perhaps that is still to come.

[edwinchester]

So where are the police and soldiers that were promise to be at the polling stations? Plus of course Suthep and his thugs lied again about not blocking people from voting. Just another day in Lawless Bangkok.

You can always tell when a politician lies as their lips are moving.