1991 Coup Leader Goes To Vote

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2 February 2014, 13:56

Soldiers queuing up for voting at a polling station in Dusit area, 2 February 2014

(2 February) The leader of the infamous 1991 military coup has cast his ballot in Dusit area this morning.

Gen. Suchinda Kraprayoon, who also served briefly as Prime Minister in 1992, arrived at the polling station with a number of retired military commanders to participate in the election.

"I want to see peace in our country," Gen. Suchinda told reporters at the polling station, "I wish every side in this conflict to engage in a dialogue".

However, the former leader refused to give any advice to the current political leaders.

Gen. Suchinda led a military coup to depose Gen. Chartchai Choonhavan in 1991, before he assumed the position of Prime Minister in 1992, leading to mass protests against him in May that year. The general eventually quit his position and largely stayed out of political spotlight ever since.

Other military leaders also cast their votes today, including Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, who has been subject to speculation and scrutiny from much of the media over his allegiance in the ongoing conflict.

Gen. Prayuth refused to be interviewed by reporters today, saying simply that "it′s election day".

Officials at the polling station realised after Gen. Prayuth left the venue that he has left his ID card at the booth, and contacted the general′s security team to pick it up later.

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Ratchathewi Residents Organise Mock Voting

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2 February 2014, 13:14

(2 February) Upset by the Election Commission′s failure to organise the voting, residents in Bangkok′s Ratchathewi district took matters to their own hands.

The EC has previously announced all polling stations in the district to be closed down after anti-election protesters surrounded the Ratchathewi district office to block distribution of ballot boxes and other equipment.

The protesters, led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), demand that the 2 February election be scrapped to pave way for the formation of an unelected "People′s Council" which would rule Thailand as a transitional government.

However, many residents in Ratchathewi district voiced their anger toward PCAD protesters for obstructing their voting rights, and toward the EC officials who, in their opinion, conspired with PCAD by neglecting their duty to organise the voting.

Some of these frustrated voters decided to express their anger by setting up a "parody" polling station in Soi Yothee, where residents were invited to cast mock ballots at the election booths manned by the locals.

Although the votes would not be counted as legitimate ballots, organisers of the event said, the gesture should serve as a reminder for EC officials that they have failed their duties.

Mr. Pichai Nariptapan, a former Minister of Energy and one of the voters who could not vote in Ratchathewi district, said he showed up at the polling station in his registered area only to find it empty. He added that he is deeply disappointed by PCAD protesters.

"Obstructing the exercise of voting rights is robbing, and it is illegal," Mr. Pichai told our correspondent.

Another prominent voter who could not cast the vote was M.R.W. Malinee Chakrabandhu, a member of the Thai aristocratic class.

She said she was prevented from voting at the polling station in Soi Thong Lo 2, Tawee Wattana District due to insufficient number of EC officials, and later filed a notice at Thong Lo Police Station to document the alleged obstruction against her voting rights.

Ms. Malinee has been voicing her opinion against protests led by PCAD in recent weeks, including an interview with the New York Times in which she said she was made a "black sheep" in her family because of her views.

Upset by the no-show at the polling station, Ms. Malinee took foreign journalists to witness the empty election unit and reflect "what has happened to Thai democracy". She added that the United Nations, the US, and the UK should have "aided" Thai government′s effort to organise the election, citing their "democratic strength".

“Whoever disrupted the election is evil. I do not know why they would do it. I support democracy, but they support Dictatorship, which is ugly”, said Ms. Malinee,

In a possible swipe at MRW Sukhumbhand Paripatra, the Governor of Bangkok who is accused of supporting PCAD protests, Ms. Malinee told reporters that “I wish another MRW who support the other party would just declare his view like I did,"

Ms. Malinee also wished to pass her message to the Election Commission that their reluctance to perform their duty would only worsen the situation.

“They should all resign” stated Ms. Malinee.

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Clashes Reported At Din Daeng District Office

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2 February 2014, 11:22

(2 February) Clashes between anti-election protesters and frustrated voters reportedly broke out at Din Daeng district office.

Supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) have besieged the district office to prevent distribution of ballot equipment stored in the building.

Their effort was rewarded with the announcement by the district authority and the Election Commission (EC) that voting at all polling station in Din Daeng has been cancelled.

However, upon hearing the news, crowds of frustrated voters gathered near the district office and shouted their demand for the election to go ahead as previously planned.

The crowd later marched to the district office, where they stormed into the building and demanded that the district director order the voting to resume.

Sporadic fistfights and wars of words between the disappointed voters and PCAD protesters were also reported, but many PCAD supporters had already left the area shortly before the clashes took place.

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Pheu Thai Chief Warns Of 'Conspiracy' To Nullify Election

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2 February 2014, 10:58

(2 February) Chairman of the ruling Pheu Thai Party has asserted that the Election Commission (EC) is conspiring to derail the 2 February election.

"Their goal is to nullify this election," Mr. Jarupong Ruengsuwan told reporters, "So be it … No matter what the EC is doing, let them do it. It′s all a conspiracy".

Mr. Jarupong made the comment as he arrived at a polling station in Ladprao district to cast his vote – the first person to do so for the station this morning.

He urged citizens who could not exercise their voting rights to file legal complaint against the EC officials and the protesters led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

PCAD protesters have surrounded several electoral district offices in Bangkok to prevent the distribution of ballot equipment, while EC has been accused by governmental officials of failing to organise the voting in many areas.

"We have to hold the wrongdoers accountable. I hope the court would understand and exercise justice in the process, in order to help this country survive," Mr. Jarupong said.

He added, "Conspirators are welcomed to pass the relay batons to each other. It′s obvious. People are not stupid. It′s all clear what is what."

Asked how the government would respond if the election outcome is ever invalidated by the court, Mr. Jarupong gave no direct answer, but insisted that Pheu Thai Party will obey the rules and laws of the country, "but it does not mean these laws cannot be amended".

He also stressed that the rule of the majority and the rights of the people to vote should be upheld for the sake of peace in the nation.

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Protesters Besiege Bangkok Election Offices

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2 February 2014, 10:35

Anti-government protesters facing off with police line in Din Daeng district, 2 February 2014

(2 February) Anti-election protesters have surrounded several electoral district offices in Bangkok to prevent distribution of ballot boxers and other equipment.

Protesters led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) blocked roads leading to the district offices of Din Daeng and Ratchathewi since early this morning.

The blockade effectively barred officials from distributing equipment necessary for the election to their respective polling stations, namely ballot papers and boxes.

The move threatened to cancel the voting in the entire districts altogether, while some other electoral districts across Bangkok also reported problems such as insufficient number of election officials to oversee the voting.

Voting in the entire district of Laksi has already been called off due to the gunbattle between pro-government protesters and the heavily armed PCAD militants close to the district office yesterday evening.

Ms. Laksana Rojthamrong, District Director of Ratchathewi, said she has tried negotiating with the protesters blocking the election office in her area, but the protesters insisted that they will continue to oppose the election "in peaceful manner".

Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Ms. Ninnart Chalitanond, confirmed that officials have failed to supply polling stations in Ratchathewi and Din Daeng with necessary equipment due to the protests.

PCAD′s strategy of blocking election venues is similar to their effort to disrupt the advanced voting on 26 January, in which numerous Bangkok districts and southern provinces were forced to cancel the voting thanks to the protesters′ blockade.

PCAD has vowed to scrap the 2 February election in favour of the formation of the unelected "People′s Council" to implement "reforms" in Thailand before any election can take place.

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EC: Non-Stamped Ballots Eligible For Voting

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31 January 2014, 19:48

(31 January) Ballot papers without official stamps from the Election Commission (EC) are as good as those with the stamps, the EC has announced.

The department of election administration office of the EC made the announcement today after anti-government critics on the social network circulated an EC-issued memo informing its officials that some ballots for 2 February would not bear the official stamps.

The memo has raised concerns that the practice invites potential vote rigging and might convince the courts to nullify the result of 2 February election.

But Mr. Matha Silapun, director-general of EC′s election administration office, said the EC allowed the use of non-stamped ballots after protesters led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) shut down the ballot publishing house on 27 January.

The distribution of ballot papers would be more swift if EC officials are not required to put stamps on them, he said.

Mr. Matha also explained that the stamp on the ballot paper is merely required by internal rule within the Election Commission, and does not involve any law.

Furthermore, Mr. Matha said, the EC employs many other measures to prevent the unauthorised distribution or counterfeit of ballot papers.

"This procedure alone is not sufficient for the court to nullify the election," Mr. Matha insisted.

Stamped Ballot Papers have also been distributed around the country, and will be used in the election on Sunday alongside the non-stamped ones, said Mr. Matha.

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Loei Redshirts Defend Election Office From PCAD

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31 January 2014, 19:02

(31 January) Anti-election protesters' attempt to besiege an Election Commission (EC) office in Loei province has been thwarted by a group of Redshirts.

Around 200 Redshirts, led by Ms. Atchima Saengsuwan, who is also known as DJ. Dokkhoon, rallied around the office and held placards condemning the campaign to disrupt 2 February election by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Some Redshirts also held banners in support of the election on 2 February, which PCAD seeks to disrupt, citing the need for Thailand′s "reform" before any election can take place.

The group later handed roses to Loei EC officials and submitted a statement on behalf of ‘Loei People Love Democracy Group’ to Mr. Natchaphon Chalermsri, Director of Loei Election Commission Office.

In their statement, the group voiced their disagreement with PCAD′s actions, such as disrupting the advance voting on 26 January and occupying a number of governmental offices, which led to "intense polarisation of the nation".

The statement also branded PCAD as "undemocratic" and acting against the decision of His Majesty the King, who had agreed to sign the bill which approves the election on 2 February.

‘Loei People Love Democracy’ further urges the Loei Election Commission to proceed with the election on Sunday.

The gathering of Loei’s Redshirts group appeared to have upset the provincial PCAD supporters, who initially planned to besiege the EC office, and they were forced to moved their demonstration to the City Hall, opposite Loei Hospital.

The demonstrators consisted of approximately 50 PCAD supporters.

After their leaders gave speeches via loudspeakers denouncing the 2 February election, Pheu Thai Party, and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, officials from the nearby Loei Hospital met with the group and asked that they move their demonstration, as many patients were reportedly disturbed by the noise.

PCAD leaders initially refused, but eventually marched to Lang Ban Tiew Market in Loei Municipality at around 14.30, where they peacefully dispersed.

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Deep South Muslim Group Rallies For 2 Feb Election

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31 January 2014, 16:09

(31 January) A group of Muslim citizens and officials from the three southern border provinces gathered at a mosque in Pattani province to show their support for 2 February election.

The demonstrators – which included Muslim representatives, local community leaders, provincial officials, and other individuals – also express their disagreement with anti-government protesters who have been obstructing election in the southern region.

Local supporters of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) have been occupying Hat Yai Post Office in Songkhla province since 29 January to block the distribution of ballot papers to 5 ′Deep South′ provinces: Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

PCAD, which opposes the 2 February poll on the ground that Thailand needs "reform" before election, has also disrupted advance voting in 10 southern provinces on 26 January.

But Mr. Abdullah Masae, Deputy President of Pattani Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), said at the rally in front of Pattani Central Mosque today that the PCAD has "violated the rights of the people under Thailand′s democratic regime with the King as Head of State".

Reading from a statement, Mr. Abdullah charged that the occupation of the Post Office in Songkhla province had shown that the "narrow-minded" PCAD protesters had no regard for the dignity and rights of other citizens.

The protesters have also attempted to assert their authority over the "destiny of Pattani′s Malay people", Mr. Abdullah said.

The statement condemning the action of PCAD was later submitted to related authorities, such as Mr. Naruephon Laetee, Deputy Governor of Pattani, Chief of the Pattani Provincial Police, representatives of the Pattani Election Commission (EC), and representative of Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre.

The pro-election demonstrators then urged Songkhla’s branch of PCAD and the EC to proceed with the election on 2 February. They also threatened to escalate their protests if the election on 2 February was obstructed either by ECs who refused to perform their duties, or the anti-government protesters.

Despite its reputation as a restive province plagued by separatist violence, advance voting in Pattani on 26 January somehow took place smoothly, unlike 10 other southern provinces where PCAD supporters blocked polling stations.

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PCAD Leader Threatens Viphavadi Tollway Closure

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31 January 2014, 15:39

An EOD police officer inspecting evidence of suspected M79 grenade attack at anti-government rally in Ladprao Intersection, 29 January 2014

(31 January) An anti-government protest leader has threatened to shutdown the tollway connecting downtown Bangkok with one of its international airports.

Mr. Issra Somchai, the core leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), made the threat after the military has not responded to his request for soldiers′ patrols around the expressway overlooking PCAD rally site at Ladprao Intersection.

The campsite has been attacked by unidentified militants almost on a nightly basis for several weeks; on 29 January a suspected M79 grenade attack was also reported, injuring one protester.

"The rally area at Ladprao Intersection is very risky," Mr. Issara said.

He added that if the security forces still refuse to patrol the tollway, the protesters would be forced to close the expressway altogether for security reasons.

Closure of the tollway would have severely affected traffic in northern Bangkok, as it links the suburban area and Don Mueang Airport with Bangkok′s city centre, our correspondent reported.

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Pheu Thai 'Resigned' To Election Court Challenge

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31 January 2014, 14:19

Anti-government protesters marching in Trat province, 30 January 2014

(31 January) Pheu Thai Party has resigned to the possibility that result of 2 February election would be invalidated by the court, said an official.

Mr. Phokin Palakul, director of the party′s strategy division, said he is confident that individuals hostile to the government would file the request to the Constitutional Court, claiming that the election was organised in unconstitutional manner.

And the court, Mr. Phokin believes, would certainly comply with the request.

"There′s 1,000,000% possibility that the Constitutional Court would invalidate the election," Mr. Phokin said, "On the ground that the election was not held in the same day throughout the Kingdom".

He added bitterly, "It′s all a deliberate ploy to create problematic conditions in order to seek verdict from the Constitutional Court".

Nevertheless, Mr. Phokin said the government would still stick to the 2 February election despite the likely constitutional challenge.

Mr. Phokin′s remark came after anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban urged the public not to participate in 2 February election as the poll outcome would be declared unconstitutional anyway, citing the government′s vow that voting in troubled areas can take place on different days in the future.

Supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State are blocking election venues and poll equipment in a number of southern provinces.

However, Mr. Phokin insisted that the court does not have the power to invalidate the election result based on the different days of voting alone.

"If they [the judges] rule that election must be done on one day across the Kingdom, I want to ask them, what about the advance voting and overseas election?" Mr. Phokin said, "If the verdict is out this way … all election results in the future would have been invalidated. This amounts to building a wrong standard of practice".

According to Mr. Phokin, the strategy is adopted by a number of groups which conspire with each other to overthrow the election.

"We have seen this at work for 2 weeks already. Many senior legal experts also gave interviews in this pattern. This kind of [trick] is evil, because it is based on personal dislike of Mr. Thaksin, but they are willing to destroy the whole country," Mr. Phokin said, referring to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Asked about the Election Commission′s (EC) warning that they might not be able to announce the election result even after the poll took place, Mr. Phokin retorted that "the EC tries to cause every problems in the election, but they don′t bother to solve any of the problems".

He asked, "Do these people deserve to function as EC?"

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