Warrants For Lak Si Gunmen To Be Issued 'Tomorrow'

By

-

2 February 2014, 20:23

(2 February) The court is due to approve arrest warrants for armed militants involved in gunbattle at Bangkok′s Lak Si district by tomorrow, chief of Royal Thai Police said.

At least five suspects would be served with arrest warrants, said Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, after the team of forensic police had "meticulously" investigated the trajectories and other evidence in the crime scene.

The clashes, which lasted for more than an hour and injured at least six people, saw supporters of pro-government Redshirts and anti-government protesters led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) exchanging gunfire with each other.

The National Police Chief also stated that he had instructed Pol Maj Gen Suranit Phrombutr, and Pol Col Phong Sangkhamurint, chief of Thung Song Hong Police Station, to interrogate both the wounded victims and witnesses who were present at the scene for further details.

Pol Gen Adul also suggested that gunmen involved in the incident could be "professionally trained" shooters.

As revealed in still-images and videos taken by journalists, the gunmen’s shooting poses and the use of a bag as a cover for their automatic rifles indicated that the group possessed remarkable combat capability, said Pol Gen Adul, but he refused to confirm the gunmen’s involvement with the military.

The Royal Thai Police Chief added that they need to further investigate the incident, and plead that the police had tried to curb the carrying of firearms into the protesting grounds to prevent possible escalation in the already fragile political situation.

However, many protesters still carried firearms to demonstration, Pol.Gen. Adul said, adding that he believes some of these weapons might have been stolen during the turmoil at Din Daeng Police Station in December, when anti-government protesters clashed with riot police.

The weapons could also have been illegally brought into the country via underground border trade, according to Pol.Gen. Adul.

"Nevertheless, we have continuously maintained many strict checkpoints around protest areas," Pol.Gen. Adul said.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Man Paralysed In Pre-Election Gunbattle Seeks Compensation

By

Khaosod English

-

2 February 2014, 16:27

A masked gunman fires a rifle concealed in a bag from anti-government protesters' position, 1 February 2014

(2 February) The pro-election protester who has been paralysed by gunfire in the pre-election violence has pleaded for compensation from related authorities.

Mr. Arkaew Saelew is among the six people injured in the clashes between the Redshirts and heavily armed gunmen allied to the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) at Bangkok′s Laksi district yesterday.

Although a number of supporters of both sides were armed, the Redshirts were eventually outgunned by PCAD guards, who were seen wielding several automatic rifles.

Mr. Arkaew′s daughters, Ms Euangfah and Ms. Wilaiphon Saelew, told reporters at his bed side that he was participating in the pro-election march near Lak Si Intersection when he was shot in the neck.

The women stated that their father has to stay in Intensive Care Unit after medical personnel at Viphavadi Hospital removed the bullet from his neck but warned that he must be closely observed for possible infection from his wound.

Medical staff confirmed that Mr. Arkaew will suffer a permanent paralysis from his neck to his toes.

Mr. Arkaew′s family is also calling for aid from related authorities to compensate for his condition.

They insisted that their father does not belong to any political groups. Mr. Arkaew, they said, was simply demanding the election to take place on 2 February and had joined the march to support the poll – only to be assaulted as he was exercising his rights of assembly.

Today, two core leaders of the United Front for Demoncracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), Ms. Thida Thavornseth and Mr. Weng Tojirakarn, also visited Mr. Arkaew to express their gratitude for his fighting for the 2 February election.

Meanwhile, Mr. Amnuay Phanpairoj, UDD coordinator for Laksi district, claimed that the clashes between the UDD and PCAD on Saturday broke out when a car approached the UDD demonstrators at high speed on Local Road towards IT Square Mall.

The car tried to slam into the Redshirts supporters, Mr. Amnuay said, and in the subsequent chaos the Redshirts threw rocks and wooden sticks at the vehicle out of frustration in order to stop the car.

The violence erupted when the driver got out of the vehicle and threw two explosives at the Redshirts, Mr. Amnuay alleged.

The situation worsened when more bombs were thrown at UDD demonstrators from the nearby bridge, according to Mr. Amnuay. Sound of machine guns and bombs were later reportedly heard continuously at the scene.

The group then decided to hide inside IT Square Mall, Mr. Amnuay said, while the police and military officers who were stationed nearby refused to intervene and calm the situation.

“We insist that we did not try to provoke any violence. We only wanted to campaign for the public to participate in the election”, explained Mr. Amnuay.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Election Over, Official Result Out By '23 February'

By

Khaosod English

-

2 February 2014, 15:08

Famous badminton champion, Ratchanok 'May' Intanon, casts her vote at Bang Khae district, 2 February 2014

(2 February) The 2 February election is over, but the Thais have to wait until at least 23 February to learn the outcome of the poll.

The delay is caused by cancellation of numerous polling stations in some of Bangkok′s districts and 10 southern provinces, where anti-election protesters blocked the election offices and other polling venues.

Future voting days will be held in areas where the public could not cast their votes today, Election Commission (EC) officials said.

In the meantime, no preliminary result of 2 February election will be announced, said Mr. Banchong Sukdee, deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

"The result will have to wait until the election is fully completed," Mr. Banchong explained, "Otherwise it would mislead the public".

According to Mr. Banchong, individual polling stations can count their votes and announce the result in front of the venue for the public to observe, but officials are not allowed to transfer these results to the Election Commission.

Furthermore, each district will not send its results to the central vote counting centre established by the EC, Mr. Banchong said.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

1991 Coup Leader Goes To Vote

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Ratchathewi Residents Organise Mock Voting

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Clashes Reported At Din Daeng District Office

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Pheu Thai Chief Warns Of 'Conspiracy' To Nullify Election

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Protesters Besiege Bangkok Election Offices

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

EC: Non-Stamped Ballots Eligible For Voting

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Loei Redshirts Defend Election Office From PCAD

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Hot News

LATEST NEWS