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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Anti-Election Protesters Intercept Ballots At Laksi

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31 January 2014, 13:36

Election equipment stranded in Laksi Area Office, as anti-election protesters besiege the office, 31 January 2014

(31 January) Anti-election protesters have besieged Laksi Area Office in Bangkok to withhold the distribution of ballot papers and ballot boxes.

The protesters, who are supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), marched from their campsite on Chaeng Wattana Road to the district office at around 10.00 today.

PCAD has vowed to disrupt the 2 February election in order to pave way for the formation of an unelected "People′s Council" which would rule Thailand as a transitional government.

The Buddhist monk activist, Luang Phu Buddha Issara, led the protesters at Laksi Area Office, where he demanded that the Director of Laksi Area, who also serves overseer of Bangkok′s 11th voting constituency, immediately stopped distributing equipment to polling stations in the vicinity, such as ballot papers and ballot boxes.

The monk claimed that the the ballot papers were "poisonous fruits of poisonous trees", referring to the 2 February election. He also warned that should the election go ahead, much violence and deaths would take place.

PCAD guards later closed down roads at will around the Area Office, such as Soi Chaeng Wattana 10, claiming they had to set up security measures in order to prevent attacks on protesters from armed elements.

However, many officials complained to our correspondents that they had already been facing great difficulty in their commuting to work, since the protesters also shut down the nearby Chaeng Wattana Road.

It is unclear whether the protesters would camp around the Area Office until election day.

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Pattaya: Danish Man 'Stabbed By Russians'

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31 January 2014, 13:14

(31 January) A Danish tourist said he had been attacked by two knife-wielding Russians in Pattaya last night.

Police received reports last night that a foreign man has been injured near a park in front of Royal Cliff hotel. The victim was later transported to Pattaya Memorial Hospital by rescue workers.

At the hospital, the man identified himself as Mr. Vasily Klausen, a 25 year old Danish citizen. Medical staff reported he was stabbed in his left arm and right chest.

Mr. Klausen told police he was attacked by two Russians before the assailants fled the scene. Fortunately, he said, local residents found him and quickly called the authorities.

When police officers inspected the scene, they found pool of blood, but local residents interviewed by the officers said they were not aware of the assault.

CCTVs in the area were also out of service. Police said investigation is ongoing.

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Fearing Clashes, UDD Cancels Samut Prakarn Rally

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30 January 2014, 19:03

(30 January) The Redshirts have cancelled their rally in Samut Prakarn province on 31 January out of concerns that violent clashes might take place.

Mr. Worachai Hema, former Pheu Thai MP of Samut Prakarn province, made the announcement in a press conference today at Imperial Ladprao shopping mall.

Armed militants might attack the protests and stir the situation toward violence and the eventual military coup, Mr. Worachai said.

Speaking alongside Mr. Worachai, Ms. Thida Thawornseth, the chairwoman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), criticised the court′s decision to start an inquiry into whether the government′s enactment of emergency decree is legal.

"The government has not even used any of the powers granted under the decree," Ms. Thida complained.

She warned that the ultimate goal of the ongoing anti-government protests is not to oust the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, but to overthrow the entire system of democracy and electoral politics in Thailand.

"Many people have now joined with the Redshirts, because ordinary people have come out to defend their rights," Ms. Thida asserted.

The UDD leader also urged local Redshirts leaders to avoid clashes or violence if anti-government protesters try to disrupt the election in their districts on 2 February.

The better way is to file legal complaints against election saboteurs and officials who refused to facilitate the voting, she said.

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Khakkingrak: Name Change Improves My Love Luck

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30 January 2014, 17:39

(30 January) The Thai actress whose name change went viral on the Internet has insisted that her life has greatly improved thanks to her new name.

"Love came to me as soon as I changed my name," said Ms. Khakkingrak Khikkhiksaranang, who was previously known as Pim-Aksiphon Wintarakomintra.

Ms. Khakkingrak elaborated that after she changed her name in December last year, she was introduced to a man from Dubai shortly afterwards, and the two soon started dating.

In fact, the actress′ love luck has been accelerated so much that her boyfriend asked her sister whether he can marry Ms. Khakkingrak.

"I was very surprised that it moved this fast. Right now he is a bit worried because I took a long time thinking about my answer," the actress told our correspondent, "He has already flown back to Dubai for works, but he will be back by Valentine′s Day".

Her boyfriend works as a court official in the UAE, Ms. Khakkingrak added.

The actress′ name change attractedattention – and amusement – from many Thai netizens, due to the extremely difficult pronunciation and the fact that her new surname sounds like chuckling in Thai.

She has previously explained that her difficult name was devised to meet divine numerological requirement, which would purportedly reinforce her luck.

Asked whether she is ready for marriage, the 31 year old actress replied with a yes. "I am ready, with this age. Now it only depends on the question of when," Ms. Khakkingrak said.

However, the main obstacle to a marriage would be her work in Thailand, she said. "I still want to work. I love my work here more than anything else. If I have to move to Dubai after getting married with him, well, I am not ready for that".

Furthermore, she is also "talking" to another Thai man. "If you ask me who I will choose, I′d say 50/50," Ms. Khakkingrak said.

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Abhisit May Vote On 2 Feb In Spite Of Boycott

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30 January 2014, 16:47

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva meeting with US Ambassador to Thailand, Ms. Kristie Kenny, 30 January 2014

(30 January) Despite his party's call for a boycott on 2 February election, Democrat chairman Abhisit Vejjajiva said he and other party members may go to vote after all.

The Democrat Party has previously thrown support behind anti-government protesters′ call to scrap the 2 February election, citing the needs to "reform" Thai politics before any election can take place.

The opposition party′s demand resonated with the stated objective of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), which calls for the establishment of an unelected "People′s Council" to rule Thailand as transitional government and implement the "reforms" deemed desirable by PCAD leadership.

All Democrat MPs also resigned en masse in December, adding pressure to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to eventually dissolve the Parliament, and many of these former Democrat MPs have been actively campaigning for the boycott of 2 February election alongside PCAD core leaders.

However, media reports in recent days suggested that some Democrat politicians might go to vote on 2 February despite their role in boycotting the election, out of the need to retain their legal rights to run for other elections in the next 5 years.

The suggestion enraged many Redshirts, who in turn accuse the Democrats of hypocrisy.

One prominent pro-government commentator, Ms. Taona Sonakul, went as far as urging the public to monitor the polling stations in Bang Na district, where Mr. Abhisit′s voting right is registered, and take pictures of the opposition leader if he shows up for voting.

Ms. Taona also promised 40,000 baht reward for any photos of Mr. Abhisit exercising his voting rights which was denied to many other citizens of the country by anti-government protesters who disrupted the advance voting on 26 January.

Adding fuel to the speculation that Democrat politicians intend to vote, Mr. Abhisit told reporters today after attending a meeting with the US Ambassador that individual Democrat core members can decide for themselves whether to go to vote on 2 February.

"It′s individual voting rights. The party has no duty to command them what to do," Mr. Abhisit said, "If they don′t exercise those rights, they would have to accept the legal consequence of losing their rights".

He added, "So we let each person make decision for themselves. I have already made a decision, too, but I won′t tell you now what I have decided".

Asked whether the Democrats would have to explain themselves to PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban, Mr. Abhisit replied that there is no need for such discussion.

The former Prime Minister also expressed his frustration with Ms. Taona′s promise of 40,000 baht in exchange with photos of Mr. Abhisit at the polling station on 2 February.

"I don′t know what she has against me," Mr. Abhisit fumed, "I am not sure whether she wants to intimidate me".

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Police Warn PCAD Not To Sabotage Election

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30 January 2014, 15:28

Riot police facing anti-government protesters at the entrance to Police Club, 29 January 2014

(30 January) A high-ranking police officer has threatened swift legal action against would be election saboteurs on 2 February.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnart Anart-ngam, the police commander in charge of overseeing the general election, said the police force is already gathering evidence of anti-government protesters who disrupted the advance voting on 26 January for legal prosecution.

Disrupting or sabotaging the election is a criminal offence under the Thai laws, and carries a penalty of both fines and jail sentence.

"We will take action against every wrongdoer, no matter what political side they are," Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnart said, adding that he is seeking cooperation from the Election Commission (EC) to prosecute these suspects.

For the general election on 2 February, Pol.Lt. Gen. Amnart said, the police will deploy as many as 200,000 officers to safeguard the polling stations across the country, which number at least 93,535 locations in 77 provinces.

The massive police force would be reportedly commanded by 50,000 commissioned officers, and supported by 1,450 ′rapid response′ teams.

"You can say we have committed all the force we have in order to ensure that the election would be peaceful," Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnart said.

The officer added that the situation is particularly worrying in Bangkok and 10 southern provinces – the major stronghold of anti-government movements.

His remark came a day after the leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) reiterated his threats to block and disrupt the 2 February poll with any available means.

Speaking to the crowd of protesters at Pathumwan Intersection last night, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban vowed to "shutdown Bangkok completely" on the election day. He also urged all civil servants and officials to abandon their posts, and join the protesters in their campaign against the election instead.

"Come join us," Mr. Suthep said," Don′t care about the election!"

PCAD has demanded that the election be scrapped in favour for the formation of an unelected "People′s Council", which would implement series of reforms deemed necessary by PCAD leadership before any election can be held.

Nevertheless, Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnart said he believes there won′t be any violent incident on the election day itself, as there are numerous polling stations which would force anti-election protesters to thinly spread out across the capital city.

"I believe those who wish to exercise their voting rights would not be troubled," Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnart said, "The minority could not possibly force the majority".

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Missing Chinese Kayakers Rescued In Krabi

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30 January 2014, 14:26

(30 January) The authorities have rescued two Chinese tourists who had gone missing during their kayak excursion in Krabi province last night.

The pair, described by witnesses as a husband and wife, went missing after they and one mutual friend rented a kayak boat in Ton Sai bay at around 18.00 last night, and rowed out toward Po Da island, which lay approximately 5 milometres away.

However, the wind reportedly became strong as the three tourists made their way toward the island, and the couple′s kayak boat eventually flipped over. Their friend immediately made his way back to the beach and called for help.

Throughout the night the authorities have conducted search and rescue operations to no avail, but officials were confident that the pair was still alive as they reportedly wore life jackets. Soon members of the Marines also joined the search efforts.

At around 10.15 yesterday the officials received calls that a tourist boat has encountered the missing Chinese tourists as they were waiting for rescue on Po Da island. The tourists were described as extremely exhausted, but no injury was reported.

The tourists were subsequently rescued and transported back safely to their hotel in Krabi province.

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