Thailand election: Extra security for PM and VIPs

[webfact]

Extra security for PM and VIPs
The Nation


A group of women are seen here holding up a sign made of banknotes saying 'no vote'

Fear of clashes at polling stations; ballot boxes yet to reach many areas in South

BANGKOK: -- Extra security will be provided for certain government figures, including the caretaker prime minister and some political VIPs tomorrow when they go to vote.

The move came amid rising concern of possible clashes and violence between anti-government protesters and supporters of the government.

Ballot boxes and papers have also not reached local election offices in many areas, particularly in the South, due to a blockade by protesters. And there is a severe shortage of officials to man polling stations after many of them resigned.

Meanwhile, the Civil Court refused to issue an injunction yesterday to suspend the state of emergency, pending a judicial review of the case against the government's imposition of the emergency decree.

The court reasoned that the situation did not warrant an injunction as requested by Thaworn Senneam, a leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). Thaworn filed the suit with the court, alleging that the government had unlawfully declared a state of emergency.

The court will hold the first hearing of the case next Thursday (February 6). Police will work with soldiers in providing security for key Cabinet ministers, such as PM Yingluck Shinawatra and Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, to prevent risks of disorder or disruption when they go to vote, police sources said.

Chalerm is head of the government's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order, which is in charge of the state of emergency currently in effect in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and part of Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.

The prime minister said yesterday she would exercise her right to vote and asked protesters not to prevent others from going to the polls. "I appeal to you not to block voting. Foreign countries will view Thailand as undemocratic," she said.

Yingluck is expected to vote at a polling station at Klong Lam Chiak School near her home in Lat Phrao, while Chalerm will vote at Wat Bang Bon School near his home in Bang Bon district.

National police chief Pol General Adul Sangsingkaew and other senior officers, including Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol Lt-General Camronwit Thoopkrajank, are expected to go in person to take care of those two polling stations, the sources said.

There will also be extra security at other polling stations in Bangkok where Khunying Pojaman Damapong and General Prem Tinsulanonda are due to cast their ballots, they said.

Camronwit said yesterday that extra police and military personnel would be sent to those polling stations to ensure security for the VIPs going to vote.

More than 200,000 police will be deployed nationwide to keep law and order on the election day and they will be assisted by 7,000 soldiers in the areas where the state of emergency is in place, said Pol Lt-General Amnart An-atngam, who heads the police's centre to maintain peace during the election.

Adul, the national police chief, said yesterday that there was concern that polling stations in some provinces may be disrupted by protesters, including Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Songkhla, Phatthalung, and Trang. Earlier in the day, he chaired a meeting of police units to prepare for the election.

He said police would attempt to prevent a repeat of violence last Sunday, when a protester was shot dead and many others were injured.

The Election Commission has advised election officials to end voting at polling stations if there is a risk of violence or turmoil, election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiy-akorn said yesterday. A new of voting would be called for eligible voters who fail to exercise their right if polling stations are closed prematurely, he said.

The Army will dispatch unarmed soldiers to help police maintain security at polling booths, as requested by the Election Commission and the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order, Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said yesterday.

However, the soldiers would just be around the polling stations, he added.

The First Area Army would keep a close eye on 10 districts in Bangkok for possible clashes between conflicting sides, a source revealed. They are Sai Mai, Don Mueang, Bang Kapi, Wang Thong Lang, Lak Si, Bang Na, Bang Bon, Suan Luang, Min Buri and Bueng Kum.

In a related development, an opinion poll has found that 36.5 per cent of 1,403 respondents were worried there would be violence on the election day, according to results of Rajabhat Suan Dusit University's Suan Dusit Poll released yesterday.


-- The Nation 2014-02-01

[sjjmmi]

Is it not against the law to deface bank notes it is in most other places

[englishoak]

I remember when it was frowned upon to even put notes in the back pocket as sitting on someones face was considered disrespectful.... now the poor thing is paraded upside down nailed to signs and stapled through the face .... how times have changed.

[chainarong]

Reminds me of the now leader of China, on he's first visit to H.K. surrounded by six thousand police , as they said ,if the guy is so popular why all the security, same applies here , different country.

[JoeThePoster]

a sign made of banknotes saying 'no votes'

Money talks but is anyone listening?

[JRSoul]

I thought it was the protesters being shot and bombed. I guess they're just not VIP enough.

[JRSoul]

I remember when it was frowned upon to even put notes in the back pocket as sitting on someones face was considered disrespectful.... now the poor thing is paraded upside down nailed to signs and stapled through the face .... how times have changed.

nailed to signs and stapled through the face ....where is that? Other than in your mind, that is.

[chooka]

This must be a splinter group as Suthep said his people will not block or try to disrupt voting, he respects people rights to vote and the election will go ahead with out disruption from his supporters.

[thesetat2013]

What bettet time to stage a coup while the army escorts her to the polling booth

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

[chooka]

Is it not against the law to deface bank notes it is in most other places

Yes it is and with Thailand's strict Lese Majeste laws their could be a few ladies in deep trouble.

[sjjmmi]

This must be a splinter group as Suthep said his people will not block or try to disrupt voting, he respects people rights to vote and the election will go ahead with out disruption from his supporters.

Quote of the day

[Scamper]

As the operation to enable Yingluck to vote in the capital approaches the scale of a lunar landing, it is becoming clear that even Yingluck's facebook page will not quite suffice to put tomorrow into the historical context it deserves. Yet historic it will be. It will also be a mess.

[Lupatria]

Political VIP’s is that what they call „representative of the people” elsewhere?

[Valentine]

This must be a splinter group as Suthep said his people will not block or try to disrupt voting, he respects people rights to vote and the election will go ahead with out disruption from his supporters.

Looks like they are just protesting. The best thing the anti govt movement could do is have peaceful protests at polling stations urging voters to vote no but we all know that even with peaceful intentions there will be others inciting violence.

[ratcatcher]

This must be a splinter group as Suthep said his people will not block or try to disrupt voting, he respects people rights to vote and the election will go ahead with out disruption from his supporters.

They are just protesting not disrupting the 'election'. Just a harmless group of ladies.

[Baerboxer]

How come the ex-wife of a convicted fugitive criminal warrants VIP protection?

But innocent protesters - on both side, don't seem to warrant much?

Seems the police are at the beck and call of a certain family.

[realenglish1]

WOW Such a nice group of Democratic Woman They come together to stop the Vote

Good luck to the lot of them when they form a group similar to Khmer Rouge

[BlueNoseCodger]

Suthep's picnic mob

It's about 100 or so people. Lets say 120 tops. I wonder how many of them are armed guards.

He might not have the numbers, but he has the guns! Better to give the extra security after yesterday.

Edited February 2, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[ultimate weapon]

Reminds me of the now leader of China, on he's first visit to H.K. surrounded by six thousand police , as they said ,if the guy is so popular why all the security, same applies here , different country.

Hmm president Obama has a really tight security detail too but he's so well liked guess what is good for the goose isn't for the gander.