Anti-Election Protesters Intercept Ballots At Laksi

By Kkaosod English.

BANGKOK; -- Anti-election protesters have besieged Laksi Area Office in Bangkok to withhold the distribution of ballot papers and ballot boxes.

The protesters, who are supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), marched from their campsite on Chaeng Wattana Road to the district office at around 10.00 today.

PCAD has vowed to disrupt the 2 February election in order to pave way for the formation of an unelected "People′s Council" which would rule Thailand as a transitional government.

The Buddhist monk activist, Luang Phu Buddha Issara, led the protesters at Laksi Area Office, where he demanded that the Director of Laksi Area, who also serves overseer of Bangkok′s 11th voting constituency, immediately stopped distributing equipment to polling stations in the vicinity, such as ballot papers and ballot boxes.

The monk claimed that the the ballot papers were "poisonous fruits of poisonous trees", referring to the 2 February election. He also warned that should the election go ahead, much violence and deaths would take place.

PCAD guards later closed down roads at will around the Area Office, such as Soi Chaeng Wattana 10, claiming they had to set up security measures in order to prevent attacks on protesters from armed elements.

However, many officials complained to our correspondents that they had already been facing great difficulty in their commuting to work, since the protesters also shut down the nearby Chaeng Wattana Road.

It is unclear whether the protesters would camp around the Area Office until election day.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1URTFNVEl6T0E9PQ==&sectionid=TURFd01BPT0=

-- Khaosod English 2014-01-31

And where were the Royal Thai Police while this was going on.

. Farcical

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And where were the Royal Thai Police while this was going on.

. Farcical

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I'm assuming they are keeping away so the red shirt assassins can make their move without police presence. That is how it usually works anyway. The police will arrive after the violence to plant evidence....... again.

And where were the Royal Thai Police while this was going on.

. Farcical

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C'mon, no helmet fines= karaoke, booze brothels: priorities.

And where were the Royal Thai Police while this was going on.

. Farcical

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Last Sunday, when the protesters blocked the pre-election the police made a big raid at Soi Nana to check if some bar there sells Alcohol to tourists which is forbidden on election days.

And of course collect tea money.

Let that sink in and after a while you'll understand why so many people support Suthep and why he is so successful.....

The system is complete rotten down with corruption....now it is so rotten down that it can not even protect itself anymore.

And where were the Royal Thai Police while this was going on.

. Farcical

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C'mon, no helmet fines= karaoke, booze brothels: priorities.

That sounds great I want to become policemen as well....

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

Let's vote on it in a popular referendum.

I referendum could be held within 30-45 days.

And you can go home to campaign for your side in the meantime.

That is, unless you're against elections, voting, popular mandate, democracy and democratic processes and procedures.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

You can't really demand "Reform before election" when there is no election planned.

PCAD actually demanded that Yingluck step down (as in RESIGN) and a "people's council" be appointed. They didn't want parliament dissolved for an immediate election. They wanted reform and then an election in 12 months.

Do these people have a single clue as to what they could possibly be involved in? They say they are not against elections, but want reform first. On the surface, that sounds fine, and I even support that aspect, but like an iceberg, the tip doesn't show the whole picture, or the dangers lurking below the surface.

The danger here is the unseen, unexplained, undefined "People's Council" as stated by Suthep. He claims it will be formed with 300 "good people", but what is his definition of "good people"? And another 100 personally handpicked by him to be appointed. Talk about "stacking the deck". He has yet to define, clearly, where these "chosen few" will come from, other than "from the people". Not a single name has been mentioned.

He claims he will not be a part of it. Is that to be taken with the same belief as "this will be our day of victory. If we don't win today, I will turn myself into the authorities" that he's uttered 3-4 times now after his "victory day" didn't happen? Or his flip-flopping on "we won't interfere with the elections" - "Were going to do everything possible to stop the elections"?

This un-elected "People's Council" would be the ruling authority of the country, with zero checks and balances, and could quite easily stay in power as long as they want, and never mind the "6 - 18 months" Suthep has quoted before elections again. There's no guarantee that elections would be held in the next 3-5 years with this bunch.

Be careful what you wish for.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

No the demand was to get rid of the Shinawatra clan controlling Thailand!

And the election was their trick to continue.....(ala Thaksin 2006)

"PCAD guards later closed down roads at will around the Area Office, ------- "

Scary, very scary!

But Mr Suthep promised again that they wouldn't directly block the election? Stealing ballot papers is pretty damn direct...

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They have "Absolute Democracy" in their name but block elections and want a communist-style people's council.

This might be just the most ridiculous bunch of people in history.

"The monk claimed that the the ballot papers were "poisonous fruits of poisonous trees", referring to the 2 February election. He also warned that should the election go ahead, much violence and deaths would take place."

This is a monk saying these things???? he should be defroked NOW. He is no more a monk then I am.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

The worst thing is that the people's council will surely not include members of Puea Thai, which means that the supporters of the party who received the most votes in the last election will be completely stripped of their voice in Thailand's future.

If the Army and police can't implement simple measures to safeguard ballots and other necessary equipment, etc., needed to be delivered to the voting sites, how are they going to safeguard the election itself?

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

No the demand was to get rid of the Shinawatra clan controlling Thailand!

And the election was their trick to continue.....(ala Thaksin 2006)

No you are wrong. Suthep's first demands were to dissolve parlament and demanded anew election which is just what she gave him. You should wake up, he lies. all he wants is a dictatorship with him as the dictator.

They have "Absolute Democracy" in their name but block elections and want a communist-style people's council.

This might be just the most ridiculous bunch of people in history.

They will certainly take some beating to the title.Even the Dems have been backing away as quietly as they can.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

You can't really demand "Reform before election" when there is no election planned.

PCAD actually demanded that Yingluck step down (as in RESIGN) and a "people's council" be appointed. They didn't want parliament dissolved for an immediate election. They wanted reform and then an election in 12 months.

You should go back to the very beginning and reread. because that is exactly what he wanted. He is lieing to you and the others and when you finally relize it it will be too late.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

No the demand was to get rid of the Shinawatra clan controlling Thailand!

And the election was their trick to continue.....(ala Thaksin 2006)

No you are wrong. Suthep's first demands were to dissolve parlament and demanded anew election which is just what she gave him. You should wake up, he lies. all he wants is a dictatorship with him as the dictator.

He is flip flopping since December and everyone that can't see it is probably wearing a whistle around his neck. Just like he said he will not block elections, but then seizes ballots or locks the gates so voters can't enter. When they try and climb on top, they get beat up.

If this is his governing style when he doesn't even have power yet, imagine how it will be when he does get power. You will have more freedoms in China than in Thailand under Suthep.

PCAD need to be honest and suggest abolishing elections and democratic politics permanently. They want a paternal system in a one-party state. Perhaps something like China, Laos or Vietnam. If that is what the people here are happy with, for the sake of stability, then let them have it. The world's first constitutional communist monarchy state!

I suspect, however, it is not what the majority want. The genie is already out of the bottle.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

No the demand was to get rid of the Shinawatra clan controlling Thailand!

And the election was their trick to continue.....(ala Thaksin 2006)

Election = trick = Wow!

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

You can't really demand "Reform before election" when there is no election planned.

PCAD actually demanded that Yingluck step down (as in RESIGN) and a "people's council" be appointed. They didn't want parliament dissolved for an immediate election. They wanted reform and then an election in 12 months.

You should go back to the very beginning and reread. because that is exactly what he wanted. He is lieing to you and the others and when you finally relize it it will be too late.

Can you please link to something where he was asking for immediate elections? I can't find anything.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

No the demand was to get rid of the Shinawatra clan controlling Thailand!

And the election was their trick to continue.....(ala Thaksin 2006)

Election = trick = Wow!

My 8 year old wouldn't believe that!

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

More crap! how do you expect a government that has proven track record of corruption and incompetence form a forum for the changes to the constitution that are needed, and expect that to be unbiased?

The forum was so successful it isn't even sitting now to discuss the changes, Which show just how sincere PTP were with that forum!

Also the Dems resigned from government before any dissolution, it was after they resigned the government dissolved parliament. and the reform forum was last month not before PTP dissolved parliament.

If you can't get your facts right, then don't post this BS and expect anyone to believe it!

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

You can't really demand "Reform before election" when there is no election planned.

PCAD actually demanded that Yingluck step down (as in RESIGN) and a "people's council" be appointed. They didn't want parliament dissolved for an immediate election. They wanted reform and then an election in 12 months.

Demanding that PM Yingluck to step down (as in RESIGN) and a "People's Council be appointed using intimidation and threat is not democratic process. Furthermore, PM Yingluck initiated a reform forum even before there was a DEM's PDRC/PCAD but the DEM rejected it.

"Reform before Election" came from a confrontational attitude to avoid the mandate of the people rather than solution to the needs for reforms.It came after the election was announced as a reaction The formation and make-up of the 'people's council' exclude anyone who is not the DEM's PDRC/PCAD.

It is not a solution but an excuse and a pretext to gain power without the mandate of the people.

Reforms cannot be completed in a year and the DEM's PDRC/PCAD reform agenda is fussy. Therefore the Government has also initiated a reform council to run parallel to the election and any party that form the government vowed to continue reforming.

I came back today through a protest march.

No problem at all except slow going due to people waking in the road.

Taxi driver was just waved through by the protester's security guards.

Many of the protesters were wearing a "No Vote" sign on their clothes.

I asked the taxi driver to stop so I could buy or ask for one that I could wear, but he didn't want to stop because of the crowd walking by.

Many of the election posters that were put up in the last few days by the government party are now plastered with "No Vote" signs.

Yingluck's face was a particular target (I didn't realize she had a big black mustache)

If I could have got a No Vote sticker I would have pasted it on the back of my shirt to wear, even though I am not Thai and so can't vote anyhow.

The idea of "Reform before Election" came after the parliament was dissolved. The DEM demanded the Parliament be dissolved and when it happened, they boycotted it. Before this, the Government initiated a Reform Forum but that was boycotted by the DEM as well.

It is an excuse to hide their fear of the people mandate. They rejected all reform initiatives and demanded that only their 'people council' with members nominated exclusively by the DEM's PDRC/PCAD 'executives'.

More crap! how do you expect a government that has proven track record of corruption and incompetence form a forum for the changes to the constitution that are needed, and expect that to be unbiased?

The forum was so successful it isn't even sitting now to discuss the changes, Which show just how sincere PTP were with that forum!

Also the Dems resigned from government before any dissolution, it was after they resigned the government dissolved parliament. and the reform forum was last month not before PTP dissolved parliament.

If you can't get your facts right, then don't post this BS and expect anyone to believe it!

1. Where is the proven track record of corruption and incompetence.

2. I did not argue whether the government initiative on a reform council headed by Banharn Silipa Archa is successful or not. I was pointing out the fact that it was there before there is a DEM's PDRC/PCAD

3. I don't know what you are talking about on:

"Also the Dems resigned from government before any dissolution, it was after they resigned the government dissolved parliament. and the reform forum was last month not before PTP dissolved parliament."

"If you can't get your facts right, then don't post this BS and expect anyone to believe it!"

Are you intimidating me. I will not be intimidated to stop sharing. You don't have to agreed with me and you are entitleld to your opinions but you don't have to use BS.

They have "Absolute Democracy" in their name but block elections and want a communist-style people's council.

This might be just the most ridiculous bunch of people in history.

I don't think you know what communism is.