Rough start to advanced voting
Polling stations were supposed to open at 8am this morning, but already there are many reports of protesters blocking the entry ways and even locking some stations, forcing cancellation of the vote in some key Bangkok districts.
Polling stations were supposed to open at 8am this morning, but already there are many reports of protesters blocking the entry ways and even locking some stations, forcing cancellation of the vote in some key Bangkok districts.
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The Lak Si polling station was prepared for advanced voting, but not the number of protesters who arrived well before 8am. Election officials have now cancelled the vote there. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
Updates
15:32
Core protest leader shot dead
A view from inside a vehicle attacked at Wat Sri Iam in Bang Na in which killed Suthin Tharathin. THITI WANNAMONTHA
From our online reporters
Suthin Tharathin, a core protest leader, was shot dead at Wat Sri Iam in the Bang Na area, while 11 others were injured in an attack at a polling station in the Bang Na area of Bangkok, according to media reports.
Suthin was a leader of the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot). He led a group of protesters under the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to a polling station at Wat Sri Iam in Bang Na at around 11.30am after learning that booths were still open for advance voting.
He went to negotiate with the director of the polling station who finally agreed to close down operations. Protesters then prepared to leave the station.
Ater the group had gone only a short distance, they saw more than 50 alleged red-shirt supporters waiting for them, so the protesters tried to avoid them. Gunshots were fired from among the red-shirt supporters and the sound of a bomb was heard.
In the aftermath, Suthin was found to have been shot and 11 others were injured. They were rushed to a nearby hospital but Suthin was pronounced dead from wounds to the head and neck. The injured protesters are described as being in a stable condition.
13:55
Here's an update for our online reporters
The advance voting has been carried out quite smoothly in the North and most of the Northeast, the East and Central regions but has been called off in several provinces in the South as well as in some districts of Bangkok, according to the Election Commission (EC).
Large numbers of anti-government protesters began to surround polling stations in some districts of Bangkok and southern provinces early Sunday, in an attempt to oppose the scheduled advance voting for the Feb 2 national election.
Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), called Saturday night for supporters to gather at 5am to prepare to move to close election stations in Bangkok’s districts.
As of 8am, election officials in several districts of Bangkok were unable to enter the polling stations, which were set up at locations such as schools, department stores and district offices.
Protesters used chain to lock the entrances of some polling stations, such as Ban Bang Kapi School which is used as a polling unit for some 80,000 people who had registered for advance voting.
PDRC protesters moved quickly from one polling station to another on learning that polling units in other districts were still open.
Most core protesters who lead the protests at each polling station have tried to say that the protesters do not oppose the election but only put “pressure” on election officials not to carry on the advance voting.
11:06: At last count advanced voting is no longer taking place in 43 (Make that 45 as of 11:35) of Bangkok's 50 districts and in nine southern provinces. That number could rise. Interestingly, voting was able to proceed in Thailand three southernmost provinces, but the situation is not said to be tense in Yala.
Rough start to advanced voting
This is the protest group that shut down voting in Bang Kapi and then in Minburi. Photo by PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
Polling stations were supposed to open at 8am this morning, but already there are many reports of protesters blocking the entry ways and even locking some stations, forcing cancellation of the vote in some key Bangkok districts.
Protesters from the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have surrounded many of the main polling stations. At some stations, voters are reported to be waiting outside to see if they will get the opportunity to vote.
Protesters have reportedly already forced election officials to cancel the advanced voting in Bang Kapi, Don Muang, Bang Bon, Khlong Toei, Dusit, Patumwan, Bang Phlat, Bang Sue, Ding Daeng and Lak Si. There are reports that Ratchawithi, Bueng Kum and Bang Khun Thian are also about to close. There are also reports of anger building amongst people who want to vote in some places. They have been told to file complaints with the police.
Here's an early morning voter who did get to cast her ballot in Lat Krabang before the polling station was shut against the wishes of many of the locals. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
After the Lat Krabang polling station closed due to the protests, angry residents demanded to be allowed to vote. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
Some polling stations have opened, however, thus far undisturbed by protesters. Among them are Phra Nakhon, Tawee Wattana, and Phasi Charoern. Latest: A large group of protesters has just arrived at Tawee Wattana. 10:20 Only 12 of Bangkok's 50 polling stations are still open according to the latest (unofficial) count.
Reports from the South indicate that voting has been severely disrupted, if not cancelled, in many provinces.
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