Meeting of EC commissioners, Acting PM Niwatthamrong aborted as Suthep leads PDRC to meeting room

[RubbaJohnny]

All very odd like a charade

1 They blocked all exits but they exited ok through another

2 You would imagine members might be ale to FLY in and out of a secure military AIRBASE, or hold it airside at Swampy 5555,ready for a swift exit

3 The government could surely find a secure venue , C Mai ,Sisaket etc?

4 I get the feeling that USA will frown and may take toys away from an armed coup so a soft judicial erosion is planned.

5 We all know the outcome of every recent election and that the pDRC,yellow ,democrats cannot sway the poor as they have nothing to match their opponnents offers.

6 Sadly I see it will need another jolt to re-set, amajor event that will reframe the whole debate.In the interim very sad for all those who seek solidarity ,respect,mindfulness compassion and any level of disturbance esp violence can only deter tourist and foreign investment all of which have long term gownsides .

7 A major foreign investor may defer a factory or expansion a few weeks/months even but longer and Myanamr Indo etc become more attractive

8 The revenue of lost tourists is gone forever and all the splendid work in promtotion by TAT will be as if the money was squiireeled away payng spokesmen to fix an irreparable wheel with a shattered HUB,If Asoke's not broke don't fix it said a soak from Peterboro

[rabas]

After the sudden departure of the cabinet ministers, the protesters were allowed into the compound of the RTAF. The protesters said they would have lunch there before moving on to the Election Commission’s office in Chaengwattana area this afternoon.

... as Thaksin's head penetrates the concrete ceiling, eyeballs protruding into the room above, Suthep smiles and says, "Lets have lunch!". (burp)......

[Scamper]

"The election cannot be held if protesters do not agree," Puchong added. "

This is the major point of contention, and on this everything rests. Pheu Thai insists that an election can be held if protesters do not agree to it. But was Pheu Thai right or wrong about that on February 2 ? And if they were wrong, why do they think it would be possible now ? Whether or not an election date can or cannot be set, will that solve Pheu Thai's problem if the election cannot be successfully conducted ? Despite everything Niwattumrong says, he has no more interest in sitting down and talking than Yingluck or anyone else in the cabinet that has a pipeline to Thaksin has. In fact, Pheu Thai is pulling out all the stops in trying to prohibit everybody else from talking. Pheu Thai is convinced that the strategy that failed before is the strategy that is certain to succeed this time - set an election date and conduct a campaign as before with turmoil as the backdrop. Conduct the campaign in the North and avoid the rest of the country. Bring back Yingluck's peek-a-boo campaign.

Pheu Thai doesn't realize what everyone else realizes - that compromise - from all parties - is the only path out of this impasse. And that can only come about through talking. There is consensus among all the parties right now. All parties want an election, and all parties " say " they want reform. That's the compromise - and it's staring everyone in the face. Arrange for both an election and reform - in a way that all parties can find acceptable. Sitting down and talking is not a guarantee of success. But neither is doing the same thing - and expecting a different result.

[pisico]

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me thinks, no matter what other party would win the election, Suthep would still do anything to kick hem out...

And Vice versa !!!

Really? Why then the alleged Democrats have not won a fair election in 20 years?

Oh, I know, the anti-Thaksinistas, Suthepistas will always use the same mantra: they bought votes!!!

Like the Dems are not doing it forever.

I see the buses on Borommaratchannanit Road parked at night right before getting to Central Plaza with license plates from Surat Thani and the swarthy throng of people on the sidewalk dishing out meals from cauldrons onto their disposable plates. Last night I stopped and asked them why they were there: To support Suthep, was their answer.

Before they resigned, Suthep had 4 members in parliament. Suthep controls all the provinces in the South. One PDRC member caught with explosives in his possessions was from Surat Thani. What a coincidence!

But Suthep apologists will deny everything because their leader (who had to resign as Minister of Agriculture in 1995 for giving land -designated for poor farmers- to 11 friendly rich families) in spite of all his crocked dealings (Palm Oil Scam) is what they want to believe in.

I have no simpathy for the likes of Thaksin.

Suthep wants power, not what is best for Thailand. Let the rich, powerful and uneducated people of Thailand decide in an election without intimidation or disruption.

We all know what the result will be.

[gabruce]

It is all planned by the EC and Suthep. Sure enough, Suthep and his gangsters invade the election meeting. According to the laws, the EC cannot postpone the election unless there are unforeseeable event. How would Suthep know about the meeting place, time and has time to organize his gangsters to invade the meeting?

Wasn't it reported by the media. Not exactly a secret. In fact, the government insisted on moving the meeting to that venue.

[Baerboxer]

Don't stand your ground and talk, just leave hastily through the back gate... seems to be still the trade of Mr. T's cronies.

Not appropriate for the replacement Prime Minister to talk to a terrorist and seditionist

Yes - he should stop talking to Thaksin, Jatuporn etc etc.

[diehard60]

This is really unbelievable. If this does not show the people of Bangkok and the south (which I know the south can't see and dont have any brains except to make bombs) that suthep is NOT for democracy and only wants a dictatorship. He will win in the end of the first round but only after he has killed many more people. And then he will loose for sure.

[Elmer Gantry]

Mini-Mussolini and his thugs are determined that the people won't have a say in how Thailand is governed, aren't they.

I think we should start calling him Pol Potbelly

At least Mussolini got the trains to run on time.

[rickirs]

How about holding the next EC and PM meeting on a Navy ship at sea? Or will the navy allow protesters storm the ship unopposed to again breakup the meeting?

Indeed, if the EC can't secure a place for discussing the election day, how can anyone expect the polling stations to be secure? And maybe that's the point. The EC wants any excuse to cancel elections indefinitely and when the Government replaced Yingluck, EC had to go to Plan B - Suthep disrupts the meeting and EC flees, not to be seen again.

[SICHONSTEVE]

An election commission that does not want to organise elections! But I suppose we knew that months ago.

It seems that the red shirt thugs have sabotaged the elections in July - not Suthep!!!

The EC are absolutely correct regarding their decision that polls cannot be held whilst bomb and gun attacks are continuing. Blame it on the red terrorists if you must put the blame on someone, they have become experts at scoring own goals..

[virtualtraveller]

Leaves no doubt who's NOT in control of the country. Thaksin would have stood his ground though, wouldn't he.

[ozvenison]

An election commission that does not want to organise elections! But I suppose we knew that months ago.

It seems that the red shirt thugs have sabotaged the elections in July - not Suthep!!!

The EC are absolutely correct regarding their decision that polls cannot be held whilst bomb and gun attacks are continuing. Blame it on the red terrorists if you must put the blame on someone, they have become experts at scoring own goals..

Great to see you have evidence that is was the Reds..

I am of the opinion that 'casualties of war' can be used in these conflicts by BOTH sides..

No one still knows who killed Seh Daeng, but a 'martyr' always helps the cause

[webfact]

Niwattumrong flees PDRC to hide in 'safe house', to leave for Chiang Rai Friday

BANGKOK: -- Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan Thursday fled from protesters to hide in a "safe house" Thursday and has a schedule to leave for Chiang Rai Friday, a source close to him said.

Niwattumrong fled from the Air Force Auditorium in the compound of the Air Force Officers' Club after protesters led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee broke into the compound. The acting prime minister was holding a meeting with the Election Commission on preparations for the new election.

The source said the acting prime minister kept low profile in the safe house and did not go to work at his temporary office at the Defence Ministry.

He is scheduled to visit the people affected by quake in Chiang Rai. He will be accompanied by Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit, the permanent secretary for Interior Ministry, the Provincial Administration Department chief, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief and the Local Administration Promotion Department chief.


-- The Nation 2014-05-15

[SICHONSTEVE]

An election commission that does not want to organise elections! But I suppose we knew that months ago.

It seems that the red shirt thugs have sabotaged the elections in July - not Suthep!!!

The EC are absolutely correct regarding their decision that polls cannot be held whilst bomb and gun attacks are continuing. Blame it on the red terrorists if you must put the blame on someone, they have become experts at scoring own goals..

Great to see you have evidence that is was the Reds..

I am of the opinion that 'casualties of war' can be used in these conflicts by BOTH sides..

No one still knows who killed Seh Daeng, but a 'martyr' always helps the cause

Who else would fire grenades and spray the protest site with bullets?

I know who killed Sae Daeng - it was an army sniper detailed to wipe out this nasty animal for the death of General Romleau!!

It was classic the way it was done - during a live broadcast on US TV!!

Edited May 15, 2014 by SICHONSTEVE

[h90]

So what is the way forward? I don't think the EC intends to run an election. If they're sending representatives to discuss ways of appointing a Prime Minister, then they don't want to run an election, and the Suthep backer control the Election Commission.

I think at this point, the 54 parties that stood for election back in February, need to demand the results of the February 2nd election be released. The EC was determine to suppress those result, refusing to release the details of any province that voted until the South had also voted. Which is a violation of their duty to release the result within 30 days.

We'll then see how the voters responded and work forward based on that.

So you advice the EC to brake the constitution.....well braking the constitution is normal for the reds.

[h90]

Leaves no doubt who's NOT in control of the country. Thaksin would have stood his ground though, wouldn't he.

yes I recall when he promised to lead his peoples army from Chang Mai to Bangkok, like Castro did at the Bay of Pigs.

But he changed the script to "animals farm?

[In Town]

An election commission that does not want to organise elections! But I suppose we knew that months ago.

It seems that the red shirt thugs have sabotaged the elections in July - not Suthep!!!

The EC are absolutely correct regarding their decision that polls cannot be held whilst bomb and gun attacks are continuing. Blame it on the red terrorists if you must put the blame on someone, they have become experts at scoring own goals..

Sadly Steve there is no certainty that the attack last night was by red shirts. Suthep's black shirts are well known for the violence they perpetrated against their own supporters to try to justify a military coup, and this may be a similar case. It just seem too convenient that the EC says they cannot schedule elections if there is violence, that evening there is violence, and the next day they say elections cannot be held because of it. I don't know that that is what happened (the red shirts are surely growing tired of yellow schemes to derail democracy), but the really sad thing is the perception it could be possible.

[ozvenison]

An election commission that does not want to organise elections! But I suppose we knew that months ago.

It seems that the red shirt thugs have sabotaged the elections in July - not Suthep!!!

The EC are absolutely correct regarding their decision that polls cannot be held whilst bomb and gun attacks are continuing. Blame it on the red terrorists if you must put the blame on someone, they have become experts at scoring own goals..

Great to see you have evidence that is was the Reds..

I am of the opinion that 'casualties of war' can be used in these conflicts by BOTH sides..

No one still knows who killed Seh Daeng, but a 'martyr' always helps the cause

Who else would fire grenades and spray the protest site with bullets?

I know who killed Sae Daeng - it was an army sniper detailed to wipe out this nasty animal for the death of General Romleau!!

It was classic the way it was done - during a live broadcast on US TV!!

then I hope he has been brought to justice for the murder.. can't have it both ways..,

nice passive response by the way.. just what I expected

Edited May 15, 2014 by ozvenison

[fab4]

Niwattumrong flees PDRC to hide in 'safe house', to leave for Chiang Rai Friday

BANGKOK: -- Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan Thursday fled from protesters to hide in a "safe house" Thursday and has a schedule to leave for Chiang Rai Friday, a source close to him said.

Niwattumrong fled from the Air Force Auditorium in the compound of the Air Force Officers' Club after protesters led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee broke into the compound. The acting prime minister was holding a meeting with the Election Commission on preparations for the new election.

The source said the acting prime minister kept low profile in the safe house and did not go to work at his temporary office at the Defence Ministry.

He is scheduled to visit the people affected by quake in Chiang Rai. He will be accompanied by Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit, the permanent secretary for Interior Ministry, the Provincial Administration Department chief, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief and the Local Administration Promotion Department chief.

-- The Nation 2014-05-15

Looks like The Nation has been told to ratchet up the BS. It's been a while since we've had a "story" entirely based on a "source" and this one's special - it's a "close source"

[Sunderland]

Unfortunately the acting PM has no chance of gaining any control of the country partly due to the fact that many are just finding his name hard to pronounce and not really sure what he looks like as he keeps hiding.

[Zolt]

That's funny, his name doesn't really sound French. Could have fooled me.

[SICHONSTEVE]

He got what he deserved - were people upset when Hitler blew his brains out? I think not!!

[dinom]

Niwattumrong flees PDRC to hide in 'safe house', to leave for Chiang Rai Friday

BANGKOK: -- Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan Thursday fled from protesters to hide in a "safe house" Thursday and has a schedule to leave for Chiang Rai Friday, a source close to him said.

Niwattumrong fled from the Air Force Auditorium in the compound of the Air Force Officers' Club after protesters led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee broke into the compound. The acting prime minister was holding a meeting with the Election Commission on preparations for the new election.

The source said the acting prime minister kept low profile in the safe house and did not go to work at his temporary office at the Defence Ministry.

He is scheduled to visit the people affected by quake in Chiang Rai. He will be accompanied by Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit, the permanent secretary for Interior Ministry, the Provincial Administration Department chief, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief and the Local Administration Promotion Department chief.

-- The Nation 2014-05-15

same pattern as Ms. Poo, staying in a safehouse and off to the north since they might like him better up there.

[Mr Yim]

Don't stand your ground and talk, just leave hastily through the back gate... seems to be still the trade of Mr. T's cronies.

My word you are so hilarious

[Mr Yim]

Suthep continually claims to have the support of the people but continually refuses to go to the polls. How do you square that circle?

[Robby nz]

An election commission that does not want to organise elections! But I suppose we knew that months ago.

It seems that the red shirt thugs have sabotaged the elections in July - not Suthep!!!

The EC are absolutely correct regarding their decision that polls cannot be held whilst bomb and gun attacks are continuing. Blame it on the red terrorists if you must put the blame on someone, they have become experts at scoring own goals..

Great to see you have evidence that is was the Reds..

I am of the opinion that 'casualties of war' can be used in these conflicts by BOTH sides..

No one still knows who killed Seh Daeng, but a 'martyr' always helps the cause

Who else would fire grenades and spray the protest site with bullets?

I know who killed Sae Daeng - it was an army sniper detailed to wipe out this nasty animal for the death of General Romleau!!

It was classic the way it was done - during a live broadcast on US TV!!

No it wasn't. Sea Daeng was shot on orders from Thaksin because he had become a liability.

He had and was at the time of the shooting telling the world that Thaksin had sacked all the red leaders and put him in charge because the red leaders had initially accepted Abhisit's offer of elections.

This was doing 2 things, it was confirming that Thaksin was in charge and had the power to hire and fire the red leadership.

It was also destabilizing the red leadership and making the red leaders look fools and lose face big time.

The army and the Govt had no reason to kill him at that point for he was in fact doing a good job for them.

,

And yes, that only confirms who is doing all the shooting, bombing and killing for they have no problems taking out one of their own, let alone the protesters, if they think it suites their purpose.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Suthep continually claims to have the support of the people but continually refuses to go to the polls. How do you square that circle?

Like everybody else, Suthep wants elections.

Fix the electoral system first and then we can have FREE and FAIR elections with the winners forming the government (Pheu Thai if they win the elections)!!

[JAG]

How about holding the next EC and PM meeting on a Navy ship at sea? Or will the navy allow protesters storm the ship unopposed to again breakup the meeting?

Indeed, if the EC can't secure a place for discussing the election day, how can anyone expect the polling stations to be secure? And maybe that's the point. The EC wants any excuse to cancel elections indefinitely and when the Government replaced Yingluck, EC had to go to Plan B - Suthep disrupts the meeting and EC flees, not to be seen again.

Can't do that, Navy Seals will swim after it, climb up the anchor chain with their knives in their teeth and once aboard unzip a waterproof bag and unleash......Suthep!

I think your right, the EC planned for this meeting to fail. They don't want an election, the wrong people would win.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[soalbundy]

The brown shirts will do anything to have their way. Suthep has become little more than a pathetic pale pink imitation of a genuine reformer.

Maybe,but he is showing who is in charge,and it isn't the caretaker government

[Mr Yim]

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me thinks, no matter what other party would win the election, Suthep would still do anything to kick hem out...

And Vice versa !!!

Really? Why then the alleged Democrats have not won a fair election in 20 years?

Oh, I know, the anti-Thaksinistas, Suthepistas will always use the same mantra: they bought votes!!!

Like the Dems are not doing it forever.

I see the buses on Borommaratchannanit Road parked at night right before getting to Central Plaza with license plates from Surat Thani and the swarthy throng of people on the sidewalk dishing out meals from cauldrons onto their disposable plates. Last night I stopped and asked them why they were there: To support Suthep, was their answer.

Before they resigned, Suthep had 4 members in parliament. Suthep controls all the provinces in the South. One PDRC member caught with explosives in his possessions was from Surat Thani. What a coincidence!

But Suthep apologists will deny everything because their leader (who had to resign as Minister of Agriculture in 1995 for giving land -designated for poor farmers- to 11 friendly rich families) in spite of all his crocked dealings (Palm Oil Scam) is what they want to believe in.

I have no simpathy for the likes of Thaksin.

Suthep wants power, not what is best for Thailand. Let the rich, powerful and uneducated people of Thailand decide in an election without intimidation or disruption.

We all know what the result will be.

You can point out the facts until you are blue in the face, but the Suthep clowns on Thaivisa are blinded by their hatred for Thaksin, that they simply refuse to accept what Suthep is and what he stands for. How, they can hate one criminal and believe in another is beyond me.