Eight to Be Tried for Blocking 2014 Election

[Lite Beer]

Eight to Be Tried for Blocking 2014 Election

By Khaosod Eng.

Protesters staged a sit-in to bodily prevent voters from reaching a polling station in Bangkok's Chatuchak district on 26 Jan., 2014.

BANGKOK — After deliberating 18 months, prosecutors today announced they have taken up cases against eight activists who helped scuttle the 2014 election.

The eight activists, supporters of a group which campaigned against the civilian government prior to its ouster in May 2014, face trial for actively seeking to disrupt elections by leading demonstrators to besiege polling stations and block voters from casting their ballots.

The eight activists – Thinnakorn Plodpai, Chalongrat Nekamatcha, Kitcha Uinok, Thipporn Namdee, Mongkol Thongchai, Arom Sitthichoke, Chantima Chuchan and Nithat Chanthanakorn – were named in a court briefing and have been charged with obstructing an election, a criminal offense under 2007 election law.

They were members of the People’s Committee Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State. Under the slogan of “Reform Before Election,” the group rejected then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s call for early elections and sought to undermine the polls, insisting that an unelected “People’s Council” should be installed to implement unspecified national reforms prior to holding any election.

Read More: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1443441720

-- Khaosod English 2015-09-28

[englishoak]

Seem to be missing a few well known names that list.

[mrrizzla]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

[jcsmith]

Of course Prayuth's good buddy and devout monk Suthep seems to be missing from this list. He only organized blocking of voting booths, harassed potential voters, and suggested that protesters should grab the then Prime Minister and kidnap her... There's no doubt at this point who put Prayuth into power.

Edited September 28, 2015 by jcsmith

[phoenixdoglover]

Any big fish in this barrel?

[Baerboxer]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

[englishoak]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

Oh come on.

You know very well the police were told explicitly by the military to stand down and do nothing or else.

Not that or else didnt happen anyway.

[mrrizzla]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

Oh come on.

You know very well the police were told explicitly by the military to stand down and do nothing or else.

Not that or else didnt happen anyway.

Aye.

When martial law was declared in 2010 the army were on the scene ASAP. They colluded with Suthep and the PDRC and it's so obvious that a blind man could see it.

[rubl]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

At that time he wasn't asked yet by 'dubious state' caretaker Minister of Thaksin's Affairs Surapong to raise Martial Law.

[Srikcir]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

The army was not called upon to declare martial law.

Yingluck had declared a State of Emergency under the authority of the Constitution that had the same effect as martial law. But the military refused to mobilize saying they believed the issue to be political in nature and did not involve national security. This was critical as the Constitutional Court had previously ruled that the RTP could not use force against PDRC protestors to remove them from government facilities and public properties.

[heybruce]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

The army was not called upon to declare martial law.

Yingluck had declared a State of Emergency under the authority of the Constitution that had the same effect as martial law. But the military refused to mobilize saying they believed the issue to be political in nature and did not involve national security. This was critical as the Constitutional Court had previously ruled that the RTP could not use force against PDRC protestors to remove them from government facilities and public properties.

So basically the military refused to do anything, the courts didn't allow the RTP to do anything, and the PTP government was blamed for not doing anything.

[Reigntax]

Typical Thai justice. A few peasents get charged for following the instructions of the elites and the instigators such as the mad monk walk away untouched. Or did he receive an amnesty also due to being the director generals advisor?

[craigt3365]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

The army was not called upon to declare martial law.

Yingluck had declared a State of Emergency under the authority of the Constitution that had the same effect as martial law. But the military refused to mobilize saying they believed the issue to be political in nature and did not involve national security. This was critical as the Constitutional Court had previously ruled that the RTP could not use force against PDRC protestors to remove them from government facilities and public properties.

So basically the military refused to do anything, the courts didn't allow the RTP to do anything, and the PTP government was blamed for not doing anything.

I believe the RTP were told to back off after the killings at the Phan Fa bridge?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706177-un-concerned-about-political-violence-in-thailand/

[Emster23]

So those 8 just dreamed this up on their own, right? Had nothing to do with Suthep et al. I think I need to set my mind to "permanent boggle", less wear and tear on my brain case.....

[heybruce]

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

The army was not called upon to declare martial law.

Yingluck had declared a State of Emergency under the authority of the Constitution that had the same effect as martial law. But the military refused to mobilize saying they believed the issue to be political in nature and did not involve national security. This was critical as the Constitutional Court had previously ruled that the RTP could not use force against PDRC protestors to remove them from government facilities and public properties.

So basically the military refused to do anything, the courts didn't allow the RTP to do anything, and the PTP government was blamed for not doing anything.

I believe the RTP were told to back off after the killings at the Phan Fa bridge?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706177-un-concerned-about-political-violence-in-thailand/

From your source:

"The OHCHR statement added that, although details are lacking, it seems that armed groups linked to anti-government protesters escalated violence rapidly on February 18 by using live ammunition."

Anti-government groups armed and violent? Posters here seem to think that only pro-government groups were violent. And the Constitutional Court tied the hands of the police in dealing with these dangerous protesters.

Suthep's protesters used violence to disrupt elections and obstruct elections, the RTP had its hands tied by the Constitutional Courts, and the military refused to get involved until the protest started to peter out and it looked like there is the possibility of a successful election. Then Prayut is "forced" to stage an "unplanned coup".

[Baerboxer]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

Oh come on.

You know very well the police were told explicitly by the military to stand down and do nothing or else.

Not that or else didnt happen anyway.

You have any evidence of that? Or was it that the police were warned off being very heavy handed in their handling of people opposed to the Shins?

And who instructed the police to stand down and do nothing to protect the protesters from regular attacks or do nothing to apprehend those responsible?

[Baerboxer]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

The army was not called upon to declare martial law.

Yingluck had declared a State of Emergency under the authority of the Constitution that had the same effect as martial law. But the military refused to mobilize saying they believed the issue to be political in nature and did not involve national security. This was critical as the Constitutional Court had previously ruled that the RTP could not use force against PDRC protestors to remove them from government facilities and public properties.

So basically the military refused to do anything, the courts didn't allow the RTP to do anything, and the PTP government was blamed for not doing anything.

Or was it the Military didn't want to get involved in a political civil dispute, the courts reminded the RTP they must act in accordance with the law and not simply do the beckoning of their political masters, and the PTP caretaker government had lost control seemingly due to pissing off the masses with the crude attempts at sneaking their bosses amnesty whitewash into law.

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed.

[Baerboxer]

From your source:

"The OHCHR statement added that, although details are lacking, it seems that armed groups linked to anti-government protesters escalated violence rapidly on February 18 by using live ammunition."

Anti-government groups armed and violent? Posters here seem to think that only pro-government groups were violent. And the Constitutional Court tied the hands of the police in dealing with these dangerous protesters.

Suthep's protesters used violence to disrupt elections and obstruct elections, the RTP had its hands tied by the Constitutional Courts, and the military refused to get involved until the protest started to peter out and it looked like there is the possibility of a successful election. Then Prayut is "forced" to stage an "unplanned coup".

Twilight world!

The courts tried to stop the RTP turning into an extension of the Shin private militia. They started the attacks on protesters. Shin political tactics always seems to include intimidation, bribery, assault and worse on any who oppose their will. Maybe their opponents are no better, but certainly no worse.

[Baerboxer]

Typical Thai justice. A few peasents get charged for following the instructions of the elites and the instigators such as the mad monk walk away untouched. Or did he receive an amnesty also due to being the director generals advisor?

Always the case.

How many red shirt minions languish in prisons whilst their non elected appointed leaders and political elites live the life of luxury with all the trappings their wealth brings?

Throughout the PTP government term, they did nothing to help those former cannon fodder "volunteers". Didn't suit someone's agenda.

Same same.

[EnglishJohn]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

What a hypocrite : you people are the first to accuse the Army of meddling in politics if a suits you. Prayuth gave plenty of warnings before the coup and only stepped in because of the terrorist attacks by Pheu-Thai against their own people.

Did you remember that they held the election whilst mass protests were going on and Bangkok was under emergency law ?.

Why would anyone do that ?. One reason : it was their last chance to cling on to power and claim legitimacy whilst continuing to murder protesters.

And you seem blissfully (or is that ignorantly?) unaware that 90% of polling stations were open yet they only polled about 30% - even with no opposition.

[Srikcir]

Because polling venues were blocked, the EC subsequently held a special followup vote within 2 weeks for those venues that amounted to 10% of the total national vote. As a consequence the Constitutional Court rejected the followup vote and invalidated the entire national vote, ruling that the Constitution did not allow a change in the election date. A month before a new election could be arranged, Prayut overthrew the caretaker government and abolished the constitution.

Therefore, the accused should also be held liable for the cost of the 2014 elections. Any politician that promoted and/or participated in the blocking should be prosecuted for violating people's constitutional right to vote and banned from the next election.

[heybruce]

Er, more to the point, where were the RTP when this was happening?

It was a job for the police, despite cousin number 1, then caretaker foreign minister, calling for the army to declare martial law.

The army was not called upon to declare martial law.

Yingluck had declared a State of Emergency under the authority of the Constitution that had the same effect as martial law. But the military refused to mobilize saying they believed the issue to be political in nature and did not involve national security. This was critical as the Constitutional Court had previously ruled that the RTP could not use force against PDRC protestors to remove them from government facilities and public properties.

So basically the military refused to do anything, the courts didn't allow the RTP to do anything, and the PTP government was blamed for not doing anything.

Or was it the Military didn't want to get involved in a political civil dispute, the courts reminded the RTP they must act in accordance with the law and not simply do the beckoning of their political masters, and the PTP caretaker government had lost control seemingly due to pissing off the masses with the crude attempts at sneaking their bosses amnesty whitewash into law.

"the Military didn't want to get involved in a political civil dispute"

You don't know Thailand's history very well, do you?

[heybruce]

From your source:

"The OHCHR statement added that, although details are lacking, it seems that armed groups linked to anti-government protesters escalated violence rapidly on February 18 by using live ammunition."

Anti-government groups armed and violent? Posters here seem to think that only pro-government groups were violent. And the Constitutional Court tied the hands of the police in dealing with these dangerous protesters.

Suthep's protesters used violence to disrupt elections and obstruct elections, the RTP had its hands tied by the Constitutional Courts, and the military refused to get involved until the protest started to peter out and it looked like there is the possibility of a successful election. Then Prayut is "forced" to stage an "unplanned coup".

Twilight world!

The courts tried to stop the RTP turning into an extension of the Shin private militia. They started the attacks on protesters. Shin political tactics always seems to include intimidation, bribery, assault and worse on any who oppose their will. Maybe their opponents are no better, but certainly no worse.

"The courts tried to stop the RTP turning into an extension of the Shin private militia."

By denying the police the right to use force against violent armed protesters?

"They started the attacks on protesters."

Really? I don't recall that. Where is your evidence?

"Shin political tactics always seems to include intimidation, bribery, assault and worse on any who oppose their will. Maybe their opponents are no better, but certainly no worse."

No worse? Have the Shin's ever overthrown an elected government, suspended the constitution, abolished all democratic institutions, censored all media, banned political gatherings, ruled by decree, etc?

Edited September 29, 2015 by heybruce

[heybruce]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

What a hypocrite : you people are the first to accuse the Army of meddling in politics if a suits you. Prayuth gave plenty of warnings before the coup and only stepped in because of the terrorist attacks by Pheu-Thai against their own people.

Did you remember that they held the election whilst mass protests were going on and Bangkok was under emergency law ?.

Why would anyone do that ?. One reason : it was their last chance to cling on to power and claim legitimacy whilst continuing to murder protesters.

And you seem blissfully (or is that ignorantly?) unaware that 90% of polling stations were open yet they only polled about 30% - even with no opposition.

"And you seem blissfully (or is that ignorantly?) unaware that 90% of polling stations were open yet they only polled about 30% - even with no opposition."

How many of these open polling stations were completely unobstructed?

Regarding the 30% figure, Thai law requires people to return to their home of record to vote. This is expensive and inconvenient for people who work far from their home, mostly people from the provinces. Many of them deduced that the decision of the anti-Democrats to not participate in the election would, once again, invalidate the vote so they didn't go to the expense and inconvenience required to vote. Had these people had any confidence that the election results would have been allowed to stand the voting percentage would have been much higher.

[MZurf]

The army was not called upon to declare martial law.

Yingluck had declared a State of Emergency under the authority of the Constitution that had the same effect as martial law. But the military refused to mobilize saying they believed the issue to be political in nature and did not involve national security. This was critical as the Constitutional Court had previously ruled that the RTP could not use force against PDRC protestors to remove them from government facilities and public properties.

So basically the military refused to do anything, the courts didn't allow the RTP to do anything, and the PTP government was blamed for not doing anything.

Or was it the Military didn't want to get involved in a political civil dispute, the courts reminded the RTP they must act in accordance with the law and not simply do the beckoning of their political masters, and the PTP caretaker government had lost control seemingly due to pissing off the masses with the crude attempts at sneaking their bosses amnesty whitewash into law.

"Or was it the Military didn't want to get involved in a political civil dispute..."

Yes, they do seem rather reluctant to do this. Only 19 times since 1932. Very, very reluctant!

[ldiablo]

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

He was having dinner with Suthep plotting when to have their coup.

[MZurf]

What a completely empty gesture! It is a complete farce that the elections were allowed to be blocked like this in the first place!

Where was our savior Prayuth when this was happening eh?

What a hypocrite : you people are the first to accuse the Army of meddling in politics if a suits you. Prayuth gave plenty of warnings before the coup and only stepped in because of the terrorist attacks by Pheu-Thai against their own people.

Did you remember that they held the election whilst mass protests were going on and Bangkok was under emergency law ?.

Why would anyone do that ?. One reason : it was their last chance to cling on to power and claim legitimacy whilst continuing to murder protesters.

And you seem blissfully (or is that ignorantly?) unaware that 90% of polling stations were open yet they only polled about 30% - even with no opposition.

Oh John, here you go again.

"What a hypocrite : you people are the first to accuse the Army of meddling in politics if a suits you"

When it suits us?? It's a fact of life John that the military in Thailand have always meddled in politics. Didn't you know?

"Did you remember that they held the election whilst mass protests were going on and Bangkok was under emergency law ? Why would anyone do that ?"

Well John, probably because that's how a government is chosen in democratic countries. Do you remember that there was a caretaker government in place, John? And yet you ask why an election was held? John, you're always saying how stupid the reds are but you sure don't come across as a rocket scientist either.

Edited September 29, 2015 by MZurf