Thai PM maintains February 2 election date: ruling party source

[webfact]

Thai PM maintains February 2 election date: ruling party source

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's prime minister has confirmed a general election will be held on February 2, a source from her party said on Tuesday after a meeting at which the election authority had proposed a delay because of unrest in the capital.

"In the meeting today, the prime minister and the Election Commission agreed to proceed with the February 2 election without a postponement," a ruling party legal adviser who attended the meeting told Reuters. The source declined to be named.

Full story: http://news.yahoo.com/thai-pm-maintains-february-2-election-date-ruling-095442976.html

-- YAHOO! NEWS 2014-01-28

[96tehtarp]

I wish all the good people of Thailand the greatest of success with their elections on Feb 2nd.

Let's hope the killed and injured are well cared for.

[webfact]

Thailand to proceed with troubled election
by Boonradom CHITRADON

BANGKOK, January 28, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's government vowed Tuesday to push ahead with controversial elections this weekend, despite threats by opposition protesters to disrupt the polls in an attempt to stop the ruling party returning to power.

The announcement came after talks between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and election officials who urged a delay following street violence in which at least 10 people have been killed and hundreds injured in grenade attacks, drive-by shootings and clashes.

In the latest incident, shots were fired Tuesday near the Bangkok army base where Yingluck was holding meetings, as hundreds of protesters massed outside.

Emergency services said two people were injured although the exact circumstances were not immediately clear.

The Thai capital has been shaken by nearly three months of mass street demonstrations, demanding Yingluck's elected government step down to make way for an unelected "people's council" that would oversee reforms aimed at curbing the dominance of her billionaire family.

The Election Commission proposed during Tuesday's talks to postpone the election for 120 days, but after discussions it agreed with the government to press ahead with the February 2 vote, deputy government spokesman Chalitrat Chantarubeksa told reporters.

The main opposition Democrat Party is boycotting Sunday's polls, saying reforms are needed to ensure the vote is truly democratic and to prevent abuse of power by the next government.

Protesters threaten to 'close every route'

Advance voting over the weekend was marred by widespread disruption by opposition protesters who besieged polling stations and stopped hundreds of thousands from casting ballots.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has threatened to "close every route" to polling stations again for the main election, raising fears of further violence.

An anti-government rally leader was shot dead on Sunday while giving a speech from the back of a pickup truck in a Bangkok suburb, during the campaign by demonstrators to block advance voting.

In another apparently politically related killing, the body of a man wearing a wristband popular among protesters was found Tuesday near a rally site with several bullet wounds, according to police, although the circumstances of his death were unclear.

"He could be a protester or someone who infiltrated the demonstrators," said Police Colonel Charoen Srisasalak.

Yingluck's meeting with the election authorities came after the Constitutional Court last Friday ruled that the polls could legally be pushed back because of the civil strife.

The government notes that under the constitution an election should normally be held no more than 60 days after the dissolution of parliament, which happened in early December.

The opposition argues that an election without reforms will not resolve the long-running political conflict.

The kingdom has been bitterly divided since Yingluck's older brother, the then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was overthrown by royalist generals in a coup more than seven years ago.

Critics accuse the billionaire tycoon-turned-politician of controlling his sister's government from Dubai, where he lives to avoid prison for a corruption conviction.

The protesters have staged a self-styled "shutdown" of Bangkok since January 13, occupying several main intersections, although attendance has gradually dwindled and disruption has been limited.

The government has declared a 60-day state of emergency in the capital and surrounding areas, giving authorities the power to ban public gatherings of more than five people, although they have not yet done so and demonstrators have vowed to defy the decree.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-28

[Costas2008]

The blood is in her's and her brothers hands.

[terryp]

Meglomaniacs at their worst ....... a very sad time for Thailand

[Sunderland]

This is getting cloudier by the hour. So, is this a Thai election for everywhere except Bangkok and the south of Thailand then?

A warm welcome awaits President Yingluck of the newly founded 'Republic of Lanna and E-san' from all corners of the world.

[drand11]

Fact is, if she delayed, the so called "Constitional courts" (hoodlums) would find a way to charge the PM. Its just the way Thailand works.

[Fat Haggis]

Who's all heading out of the Capital on Sunday then?

[jollyman]

The blood is in her's and her brothers hands.

The Blood is on Sethups hands soon he will be TOAST

[graemeaylward]

I think that is very sensible. Now Mr. Suthep can show that he is really democratic as he claims, by removing his "thugs" from outside the polling stations and allowing every Thai citizen their unalienable right to vote. Surely this is what all democracy is about! One person, one vote. Let the people decide.

[ourmanflint]

So if only PT supporters vote, isn't there a minimum turnout the government would need to be able to form a viable government?

[jollyman]

The blood is in her's and her brothers hands.

The Blood is on Sethups hands soon he will be TOAST

[ourmanflint]

The blood is in her's and her brothers hands.

The Blood is on Sethups hands soon he will be TOAST

Please tell us why oh wise one!

[householder]

Should Suthep now switch to encouraging a mass turnout and indicating "No Vote' on the ballot paper? Would this achieve much?

Edited January 28, 2014 by householder

[animatic]

Election next week?

Run by whom?

Seems there is not coordinating staff anymore.

[ourmanflint]

I think that is very sensible. Now Mr. Suthep can show that he is really democratic as he claims, by removing his "thugs" from outside the polling stations and allowing every Thai citizen their unalienable right to vote. Surely this is what all democracy is about! One person, one vote. Let the people decide.

Think about what you're saying maybe?? There are only going to be one set of candidates fielded in this farce of an election, voters do not have a choice who to vote for, they can only abstain!

[fat mick]

Well im leaving Bangkok Saturday night let the fun begin i dont think so,

[bigbamboo]

Why did the source decline to be named if he or she is representing the PM? Is that in case the Boss changes his mind again and they can deny the statement later because there are millions of Thais who need to know if it's on or not.

[Basil B]

The blood is in her's and her brothers hands.

The Blood is on Sethups hands soon he will be TOAST

Do not see any trouble in Bangkok on Sunday as there will be no elections.

Jollyman you talk just like Chalerm, the rottweiler with no teeth and now just got a big yellow streak running away from a few old ladies with hat pins.

[david555]

I think that is very sensible. Now Mr. Suthep can show that he is really democratic as he claims, by removing his "thugs" from outside the polling stations and allowing every Thai citizen their unalienable right to vote. Surely this is what all democracy is about! One person, one vote. Let the people decide.

Think about what you're saying maybe?? There are only going to be one set of candidates fielded in this farce of an election, voters do not have a choice who to vote for, they can only abstain!

Was that not their own decision to not participating ...??

[graemeaylward]

Should Suthep now switch to encouraging a mass turnout and indicating "No Vote' on the ballot paper? Would this achieve much?

I think that would be preferable to intimidating all those people who want to vote. Let the ballot box decide.

[webfact]

FEBRUARY 2 POLL
Snap Election to go ahead : Pongthep

BANGKOK: -- A special meeting between the government and Election Commission on Tuesday resolved that the snap election scheduled on February 2 will go ahead.

Caretaker deputy premier Pongthep Thepkarnchana said after the meeting that the EC and the government have different opinions and positions on whether the election should be delayed or not.

"The government saw that the postponement of the election would not solve the problems.Therefore the election would be held on February 2 as scheduled," Pongthep said.

Speaking at the same press conference, EC chief Somchai Srisithiyakorn said the meeting was held at the recommendation of the Constitutional Court that the EC and the government talked on the possibility of delaying the election.

Somchai said there were differences on the opinions during the meeting so there was no joint decision on the matter.

He added the EC will then organise the meeting as much as possible and if there is any problem, it will try to solve them.

Because of technical problems caused by cancelled advance voting in many areas last Sunday, the opening of the Parliament will be delayed at least three to four months. By laws, the first parliament meeting will be held 30 days after the election.

The meeting was attended by caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the full EC at the Army Club. Some Cabinet members participated in the meeting.


-- The Nation 2014-01-28

[wedders]

This is getting cloudier by the hour. So, is this a Thai election for everywhere except Bangkok and the south of Thailand then?

A warm welcome awaits President Yingluck of the newly founded 'Republic of Lanna and E-san' from all corners of the world.

I would say this is an election for the 80% of Thai voters polled by the Bangkok Post last weekend who confirmed they wanted the election to go ahead. Edited January 28, 2014 by wedders

[graemeaylward]

I think that is very sensible. Now Mr. Suthep can show that he is really democratic as he claims, by removing his "thugs" from outside the polling stations and allowing every Thai citizen their unalienable right to vote. Surely this is what all democracy is about! One person, one vote. Let the people decide.

Think about what you're saying maybe?? There are only going to be one set of candidates fielded in this farce of an election, voters do not have a choice who to vote for, they can only abstain!

Was that not their own decision to not participating ...??

There are many different parties on the ballot paper, including some that have some radical new ideas. So let the people vote. It is their right!

[edwardandtubs]

So if only PT supporters vote, isn't there a minimum turnout the government would need to be able to form a viable government?

Thai politics is more complex than Phue Thai v Democrat Party. Almost all the small parties support the election and nearly 80% of people say they plan to vote.

[Rich teacher]

The number of voters will be 10 - 20 times more than last Sunday. If the protesters try to obstruct the people's democratic right they are absolutely in the wrong and deserve everything they get.

[LadPhrao123]

Bravo Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra! Bring the vote.

Our prayers are with you.

[chainarong]

Another smart move by the PTP, they have made lots of smart moves in the past , all have lead to failure , this will be no exception, they can't get it into their heads, regardless if they win on the 2nd , the protests will just go on, the people will just keep on pushing , they might go a bit slower , but the push for reforms the proper way, not the PTP way , will continue and the country will slowly go down the drain.

[gemini81]

Bravo Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra! Bring the vote.

Our prayers are with you.

Bravo! (Maybe you can still) BUY the vote, for those farmers who still can't accept they've been cheated and lied to.

[gemini81]

The number of voters will be 10 - 20 times more than last Sunday. If the protesters try to obstruct the people's democratic right they are absolutely in the wrong and deserve everything they get.

They're protesters, demonstrators. Not 2010's terror hungry rented mobs. Says a lot about your character.