Pheu Thai chief threatens mass protest if election is postponed

[webfact]

Pheu Thai chief threatens mass protest if election is postponed



BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai party leader and caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan has threatened to bring his supporters to demonstrate in Bangkok if the February 2 election is postponed.

Addressing to the party’s supporters during a campaign trail in Chiang Rai on Monday, he said that the election must proceed definitely and no one could prevent it from taking place.

He cited the advance voting on Sunday, saying that the process went on smoothly in most of the polling units with disruptions in Bangkok and several southern provinces.

The minister said he would like to question the Election Commission what legal basis it has to suggest that the election should be postponed although the Constitution Court itself has ruled that the poll can be postponed.

He also questioned whether the EC or whoever would be held accountable or who could guarantee that if the election is postponed, the protests in Bangkok would end and the Democrat party will contest the poll.

“The powers should return to the people through the election,” said Mr Charupong.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pheu-thai-chief-threatens-mass-protest-election-postponed/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-28

[AleG]

Isn't that declaration a breach of the SoE?

[LuckyLew]

Sorry buddy you are gonna have to get in line to start a protest ... suivant next ... running out of people in Thailand to join the protests

[gemini81]

For red shirts, it means violence and riots- not protests or demonstrations. They wouldn't know a civilized demonstration to save their lives- especially when paid/hired.

[siampolee]

“The powers should return to the people through the election,” said Mr Charupong.

Indeed this is true.

However that is the one factor that the Shiwatra clan fear above all that their plans to install their-selves as the new political ruling dynasty are going to be thwarted by the voters of Thailand.

The very idea of losing the pot of gold that is in Thailand's coffers fills the Shinwatra clan and their P.T.P. puppets with abject horror.

[TVGerry]

The red shirts really should rally and protest. Then people can make a comparison of between red and anti government protesters and see what real violence is. I'm pretty sure the reds will shut up the people who have the cheek to call the anti government protesters 'violent'.

You guys should watch the clip of the CTW burning. Finally, real proof that ordinary red shirts really did start the fire that burned it down.

Edited January 28, 2014 by TVGerry

[thesetat2013]

Actually i think thailands coffers are empty now.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[pipkins]

This is a threat to the Courts not to meddle.

Can't prevent an election that only the fascists want stopped.

Get the election out of the way and the violence will end. Then the courts can rule about change to law on Quorum.

Quite easy really and democratic. Will hurt and annoy only a few people that don't matter, so thats a bonus as well.

[Mosha]

Don't forget the 1 litre bottles of petrol.

[icommunity]

Tension rise with the CC ruling citing one of the reasons was the 2006 election postponement. 2006 postponement was the result of a court nullified the election.

[TVGerry]

This is a threat to the Courts not to meddle.

Can't prevent an election that only the fascists want stopped.

Get the election out of the way and the violence will end. Then the courts can rule about change to law on Quorum.

Quite easy really and democratic. Will hurt and annoy only a few people that don't matter, so thats a bonus as well.

Even if the elections go on without protesters stopping it, it is truly naive to think the violence will end. Besides which, there's no way it will hit the 95% needed to form the next parliament. So on we go again with more shots and bombs lobbed at the protestors while this idiot caretaker government wastes my taxpayer money on another election.

And that sums up the PTP government, they either steal your tax money or they waste it.

[Tatsujin]

"Burn, Bangkok, Burn" . . . oh wait, that's the Thai Kill Thai party's 2010 slogan, what's this years?

[GrantSmith]

This is a threat to the Courts not to meddle.

Can't prevent an election that only the fascists want stopped.

Get the election out of the way and the violence will end. Then the courts can rule about change to law on Quorum.

Quite easy really and democratic. Will hurt and annoy only a few people that don't matter, so thats a bonus as well.

Andrew Spooner, is that you?

Tell the courts not to meddle then say that the can rule on changing laws?

Make up your mind, either the court has jurisdiction or it doesn't...

Cake and eating it et al...

[haroldc]

This charismatic individual has supporters?

[Fryslan boppe]

Amazed at some of the commentary critical of this guy, and demonizing the pro-electoral forces....I wonder how they would pontificate if it was in their own country.....But never mind...Like I said before..."Where agenda walks in the door, common sense walks out...

Whether this guy is expressing his own opinions is another question...I'm sure he is, but it should be clear he has no choice about it........The electoral majority of UDD/RS's/PTP would come unglued if this election date was tampered with...under whatever guise....Not only would it effectively be a coup, regardless who is behind it, including the EC, but it would throw Thailand into a political black-hole...Can you imagine what would happen after a delay, and these reactionary coup-mongers, that some people call Fascists, would begin to throw their weight around.

Protests would be spontaneous...Wouldn't require any organizing.

The election date is sacrosanct...period. The alternative is scary.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[dinom]

"BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai party leader and caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan has threatened to bring his supporters to demonstrate in Bangkok if the February 2 election is postponed."

Finally another glimse of their "true colors." Well done Mr. Pheu Thai party leader.

[virtualtraveller]

Good idea. Let the scuffles begin.

[taony]

Suthep had to quit before he could protest. Will this guy?

[ggold]

This is a threat to the Courts not to meddle.

Can't prevent an election that only the fascists want stopped.

Get the election out of the way and the violence will end. Then the courts can rule about change to law on Quorum.

Quite easy really and democratic. Will hurt and annoy only a few people that don't matter, so thats a bonus as well.

what absolute rubbish you spout!

[thaisaregrt]

bugger, I came in on this report because I thought it said THIEF not chief, I actually thought that the paper was finally printing the truth

[newcomer71]

Everyone is right, but everyone is wrong.

No one should put party interests or their own interests before country interest.

Every leader must be responsible, take a deep breath, avoid irresponsible declarations and meet up for a peaceful solution.

Thailand is sliding down a dangerous slope. Better everyone keep calm and do the best for country.

[Tatsujin]

My interpretation of the law might be a little rusty, but has Pheu Thai party leader and caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan now broken the law himself by calling for protests whilst under a SoE? Will he also now be arrested and have his bank accounts frozen? Lose his Ministerial position? Will Tarit immediately call for an investigation? Or is this once again a "do as I say, now what I do" situation as is far too common from the pro-Govt/PT side of things?

[Robby nz]

My interpretation of the law might be a little rusty, but has Pheu Thai party leader and caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan now broken the law himself by calling for protests whilst under a SoE? Will he also now be arrested and have his bank accounts frozen? Lose his Ministerial position? Will Tarit immediately call for an investigation? Or is this once again a "do as I say, now what I do" situation as is far too common from the pro-Govt/PT side of things?

You have that completely wrong, it is Thai PBS who are in the wrong they have been warned that publishing something that could cause alarm is banned under the SOE.

The caretaker minister can say whatever he wants as long as the dastardly press don't publish it.

[bkkjames]

any good deals on fire extinguishers?

[chainarong]

A very poor example of a leader who should be sitting down and working out a pathway to piece, instead we have this threatening behaviour , how can the supporters of all sides see this as anything but doing the bidding of a person out of touch with reality , like all the figure heads involved in this disgraceful mess it is time to stop blowing your bags and start thinking about Thailand, the vocal leaders on all sides of this shebang are not leaders of democracy, they are the feathering my nest variety of species and the receivers of corruption

[Mosha]

any good deals on fire extinguishers?

Look on e-bay.

[aimbc]

It is halarious that PTP will think people will support them. When the verdict comes out, this government will found illegitament. Election is just a smoke screen for these democracy hating buch. It already shows by their action.

[rubl]

This is a threat to the Courts not to meddle.

Can't prevent an election that only the fascists want stopped.

Get the election out of the way and the violence will end. Then the courts can rule about change to law on Quorum.

Quite easy really and democratic. Will hurt and annoy only a few people that don't matter, so thats a bonus as well.

Surely a Pheu Thai chief would never think of threatening a court?

BTW the CC didn't 'stop' or 'prevent' an election. They just ruled that the election could be postponed via a royal decree issued by the care-taker government. Furthermore they said that the EC and the government should start to talk and sort things out. Well, compliant as always the government accepted the ruling and just goes on pushing for an election as if their previous actions wasn't the main cause of the protests.

[NongKhaiKid]

Isn't that declaration a breach of the SoE?

Yes and No.

Yes it is but No it's different to the other lot.

[bigbamboo]

My interpretation of the law might be a little rusty, but has Pheu Thai party leader and caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan now broken the law himself by calling for protests whilst under a SoE? Will he also now be arrested and have his bank accounts frozen? Lose his Ministerial position? Will Tarit immediately call for an investigation? Or is this once again a "do as I say, now what I do" situation as is far too common from the pro-Govt/PT side of things?

Thai law makes the Gordian Knot look like a bowline.