Govt defers talk with EC to May 15

BANGKOK, 14 May 2014 (NNT) – The meeting between the Election Commission (EC) and the government on electoral issues has been postponed from today to tomorrow due to the latter’s wish to change the venue on security concerns.

The EC had previously set the date of the meeting with the government for today at 2 pm. However, there was a disagreement between the two sides over the meeting venue.

The EC had specified that the talk would take place at its office inside the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road for the convenience of its officials.

On the other hand, the government representatives led by acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn deemed the Government Complex unsafe due to the presence of anti-government protesters around the compound.

As a result, the government announced today that the talk had been postponed to tomorrow at 10 am. The Royal Thai Air Force Academy in Don Mueang was chosen as the new meeting place.

Despite the delay, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn affirmed that the EC was intent on holding the general election as soon as possible.

He said the topics of discussion would also remain unchanged, mainly covering the adjustment of a legal provision to allow postponement of the poll based on the situation and the consideration of the acting premier’s authority in submitting the election royal decree to His Majesty the King.

-- NNT 2014-05-14

Oh my goodness.. PTP said it was unsafe ..aren't they cowardly scum... ohh no that's just what Abhisit was called by the Red's on here!

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This must be an example of the control Niwattumrong claims to CNN that he has.

" He said the topics of discussion would also remain unchanged, mainly covering the adjustment of a legal provision to allow postponement of the poll based on the situation and the consideration of the acting premier’s authority in submitting the election royal decree to His Majesty the King. "

These are two huge issues : 1. whether a clause can actually be constitutionally included in an election decree that allows for an election to be postponed in the event of difficulties. It has never been done before. 2. Considering " the acting premier's authority " is basically saying that a prime minister has never before been elected through a cabinet - caretaker or otherwise - and therefore may not have the required constitutionally authority.

Edited May 14, 201412 yr by Scamper

lucky he didn't move it to Chang Mai

He said the topics of discussion would also remain unchanged, mainly covering the adjustment of a legal provision to allow postponement of the poll based on the situation and the consideration of the acting premier’s authority in submitting the election royal decree to His Majesty the King.

These legal technicalities seem quite serious for the caretaker government.

If the EC has the power to postpone the election, this can be done repeatedly and, if candidate registration has already taken place, a new royal decree would be needed to set a new election date and the dates for candidate registration which would have to be repeated across the country. In any event an election that doesn't take place on the same day everywhere would be voided by the CC. So the election will not take place until the PDRC has either been satisfied or eliminated by force or attrition. This probably means the government will have to resign or be forced out before elections can take place.

The second point is an even more immediate concern. The EC earlier signalled it would accept Niwatthamrong's countersignature on a royal decree (probably to appear supportive of elections) but now accepts that would expose the commissioners to impeachment and lawsuits for malfeasance, if it were later ruled that an unelected acting caretaker PM has no authority to countersign. I would guess that the EC will have to petition the CC on this point. My guess if the the CC, which has shown itself unwilling to take the personal risk of creating a power vacuum, will allow this. Otherwise there is no constitutional way of issuing a royal decree for a new election. This would increase the pressure for an interim PM to be appointed under the vagueness of Article 7. If an interim PM were royally endorsed, then he would have the authority to countersign a royal decree.

lucky he didn't move it to Chang Mai

They wouldn't go there mate theres earthquakes, its dangerous.

Holding the meeting at Chaeng Wattana, what could go wrong... convenient for everyone including some chap dressed as a monk who could turn up and order everyone around...

lucky he didn't move it to Chang Mai

They wouldn't go there mate theres earthquakes, its dangerous.

Holding the meeting at Chaeng Wattana, what could go wrong... convenient for everyone including some chap dressed as a monk who could turn up and order everyone around...

Didn't the EC realize that the Govt Complex at Chaeng Wattana has been closed for the last 6 months?

Nice try anyway.

Meeting at the DMK airport is good.

The monk will have an excuse to close it down now; not just close the DMK Tollway (last Friday).

Edited May 14, 201412 yr by chotthee

Seems to be the new motto of Thailand "Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow"

Holding the meeting at Chaeng Wattana, what could go wrong... convenient for everyone including some chap dressed as a monk who could turn up and order everyone around...

Didn't the EC realize that the Govt Complex at Chaeng Wattana has been closed for the last 6 months?

Nice try anyway.

Meeting at the DMK airport is good.

The monk will have an excuse to close it down now; not just close the DMK Tollway (last Friday).

No you have it all wrong, he simply told them to take of the road

If elections no longer take place will the EC stop claiming fees and disband and refund the costs of the last one ?

Edited May 14, 201412 yr by RubbaJohnny

OK so the Democrats sabotaged the last election because they knew they would loose, so therefore they get to pick the PM.. thats pretty much tge dems logic.. the EC has no choice but to eventually hold an election in the next few months, this gimmik about the new caretaker PM not really being authorized to initiate the election will not last, what's the court going to do, rule that Thailand cannot have an election because the caretaker PM 'can't authorize one? i dont think the courts will go that far, last weeks CC verdict is a sign the pdrc/ dems are starting to loose the courts.

Holding the meeting at Chaeng Wattana, what could go wrong... convenient for everyone including some chap dressed as a monk who could turn up and order everyone around...

Didn't the EC realize that the Govt Complex at Chaeng Wattana has been closed for the last 6 months?

Nice try anyway.

Meeting at the DMK airport is good.

The monk will have an excuse to close it down now; not just close the DMK Tollway (last Friday).

No you have it all wrong, he simply told them to take of the road

Come to think of it, the meeting should be held at Suwanpaphumi airport, where the food is good, and music is fun.

lucky he didn't move it to Chang Mai

They wouldn't go there mate theres earthquakes, its dangerous.

It was Chiang Rai.

OK so the Democrats sabotaged the last election because they knew they would loose, so therefore they get to pick the PM.. thats pretty much tge dems logic.. the EC has no choice but to eventually hold an election in the next few months, this gimmik about the new caretaker PM not really being authorized to initiate the election will not last, what's the court going to do, rule that Thailand cannot have an election because the caretaker PM 'can't authorize one? i dont think the courts will go that far, last weeks CC verdict is a sign the pdrc/ dems are starting to loose the courts.

Actually in protest the Democrat party choose democratically not to contest the elections. They didn't register.

The suggestion that the anti-government protesters only consists of Democrat party members and/or supporters is equally incorrect.

OK so the Democrats sabotaged the last election because they knew they would loose, so therefore they get to pick the PM.. thats pretty much tge dems logic.. the EC has no choice but to eventually hold an election in the next few months, this gimmik about the new caretaker PM not really being authorized to initiate the election will not last, what's the court going to do, rule that Thailand cannot have an election because the caretaker PM 'can't authorize one? i dont think the courts will go that far, last weeks CC verdict is a sign the pdrc/ dems are starting to loose the courts.

Actually in protest the Democrat party choose democratically not to contest the elections. They didn't register.

The suggestion that the anti-government protesters only consists of Democrat party members and/or supporters is equally incorrect.

Correct they didn't register and made sure others were unable to register or simply vote

lucky he didn't move it to Chang Mai

They wouldn't go there mate theres earthquakes, its dangerous.

Dubai should be nice and safe this time of the year

lucky he didn't move it to Chang Mai

They wouldn't go there mate theres earthquakes, its dangerous.

Dubai should be nice and safe this time of the year

Thailand should be nice and safe this time of year too ... unfortunately because of some idiots with whistles it isnt.

Dubai should be nice and safe this time of the year

Thailand should be nice and safe this time of year too ... unfortunately because of some idiots with whistles it isn't.

awwww poor "English joke" scared of a little whistle !!! blub blub!!!

They wouldn't go there mate theres earthquakes, its dangerous.

Dubai should be nice and safe this time of the year

Thailand should be nice and safe this time of year too ... unfortunately because of some idiots with whistles it isnt.

Yes, the idiots with whistles attract violence from some extreme terrorist elements who lob grenades and take random shots.

CAPO have had absolute zero success, even with their SWAT and Paratroop police teams, at catching any of those who attack and kill the protesters. But luckily they have had some success against the whistle blowers.

Oh im sorry i forgot because the PDRC arnt violent at all are they ?

Shining light of example that lot, masks, guns, shootings, beatings, the lot ...... .. spare me your hypocrisy please