"All-out final battle" (updated Wednesday)

Continuing coverage of the the PDRC's "all-out final battle". The Senate is struggling to help find a solution to the political crisis, with one protest group demanding it appoint a new PM and another insisting that it doesn't.

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Day 6: Our Wednesday coverage

We start again with excerpts from today's main Bangkok Post story.

Note: Audio follows full text which began Friday.

Rivals raise pressure on Senate

Surachai urged to get in touch with Thaksin

Aekarach Sattaburuth & Patsara Jikkham

The Senate is struggling to come up with ways to end the political crisis as both the anti-government movement and the red shirts pile pressure on the Upper House to back their causes.

The Senate held an informal session for a second day Tuesday to discuss possible solutions to the crisis.

During the session, appointed Senator Wanchai Sornsiri suggested that acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai meet for talks with privy councillors, who are respected throughout the country as senior figures.

Sen Wanchai said Sen Surachai should make contact with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to discuss the country's problems.

Thaksin is at the centre of the political conflict and whether or not the political problems end depends solely on him, Sen Wanchai said.

Senator Trungchai Buranasomphop said the country is in urgent need of a new government, adding that an interim prime minister must be installed under Section 7 of the charter.

Sen Surachai said he had instructed the Senate secretariat to invite stakeholders in the political crisis to offer their views in parliament Tuesday.

Acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisarn and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva were invited to speak at the Senate session Tuesday, Sen Surachai said.

Mr Abhisit agreed to come, but Mr Niwatthamrong was not available.

Mr Niwatthamrong said he could not participate in the Senate session because he was tied up with religious ceremonies during Visakha Bucha Day.

He also said he doubted the legality of what the Senate was trying to do.

At the Senate session Tuesday Mr Abhisit suggested that a referendum be held for the public to make decisions on key issues such as how to establish a reform council free of politicians, how to proceed with reforms, and how to ensure an elected government implements the reforms proposed by the reform council.

The Senate had also invited the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to speak in parliament, Sen Surachai added. However, UDD secretary-general Nattawut Saikuar said the group had rejected the invitation.

The UDD declined to attend the meeting as it is opposed to the acting Senate speaker nominating an interim prime minister, Mr Nattawut said.

UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan accused Sen Surachai and Mr Suthep of having joined forces to push for an interim premier.

Mr Jatuporn warned that if the Senate nominates an interim prime minister, the UDD will escalate its rallies to oppose it.

Also on Wednesday, PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban read a statement calling on the Senate to step up efforts to install an interim prime minister.

He said the country currently lacks a functioning government while the caretaker government is not in full command of national administration.

The caretaker government has failed to implement measures to solve economic problems, which adds to the woes of people affected by the rising cost of living.

PDRC co-leader Thaworn Senneam said the anti-government group is prepared to take "decisive action" if the Senate cannot convince political stakeholders, independent organisations and the private sector to engage in talks to bring an end to the political turmoil as well as initiate a process to install an interim prime minister within seven days.

Day 5: Our Tuesday coverage

Here are excerpts from today's main front page story in the Bangkok Post.

Suthep, PDRC burst into parliament

Closed-door meet with Surachai stirs red ire

Aekarach Sattaburuth

The acting Senate speaker's permission for People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban to enter parliament premises and hold a closed-door discussion with him has sparked outrage from the red shirts and pro-government elements.

The Senate was holding an informal Monday session to discuss the political impasse.

As the session was in progress, Mr Suthep led demonstrators to parliament and conveyed a note to deputy Senate speaker and acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai, who was chairing the meeting, to ask Sen Surachai to allow him to speak.

The anti-government Group of 40 senators voiced support for Mr Suthep to speak at the session, but other senators disagreed.

However, Sen Surachai, who chaired the session, allowed Mr Suthep to enter the parliament premises.

Sen Surachai agreed to meet for talks with Mr Suthep and other PDRC co-leaders in a reception room behind closed doors.

United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairman Jatuporn Prompan lambasted Sen Surachai for meeting for talks with Mr Suthep on parliament premises.

Mr Jatuporn said Sen Surachai could break the law if he bowed to Mr Suthep's demands.

He said the pair must be held responsible and charged with instigating insurrection, adding that there would be no political power vacuum as the PDRC hoped.

The majority of the informal Senate session supported a proposal for an interim prime minister to be installed under Section 7 of the constitution.

Of the total 150 senators, 86 attended the meeting and most were appointed senators, including the anti-government Group of 40.

Lamphun Senator Tri Danphaiboon said the result of the informal Senate session could not be deemed as representing the collective opinion of the Senate as a whole.

Mr Tri said if the result of the session is wrongly used to represent the view of the entire Senate, the acting Senate speaker must take responsibility.

Day 4: Our Monday coverage

As PDRC leaders close down their Lumpini Park rally site and move closer to Government House, they are still expressing confidence of ultimate victory, but their immediate demand for an appointed interim prime minister and and a people's reform government does not seem to be going anywhere. Not only that, but he Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) is vowing to use police commandos to arrest 14 core members of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s (PDRC) including protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

Here are excerpts from Bangkok Post front-page stories this morning.

PDRC call for interim PM ‘likely to fail’

Pradit Ruangdit,Mongkol Bangprapa & Aekarach Sattaburuth

Judicial leaders, the Election Commission and the acting Senate speaker are unlikely to bow to the demands of anti-government protest group leader Suthep Thaugsuban to quickly nominate an interim prime minister, political observers say.

However, the Deputy Senate Speaker and acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai, who was nominated as Speaker in a vote on Friday night, has called for an informal Senate meeting Monday to discuss the political impasse.

The move came amid rising political tensions between pro- and anti-government groups.

Mr Suthep on Saturday called for the presidents of the Constitutional, Supreme and Administrative courts, the Election Commission chairman and the Senate speaker to work out a plan to nominate an interim government for royal endorsement under the Section 7 of the constitution. He gave them until Monday to meet his demand; otherwise the protesters “would do it themselves”.

Political observers believe they are unlikely to meet Mr Suthep’s demands since the issue is sensitive and would put them at risk of committing illegal action.

A senior judge, who wished not to be named, Sunday voiced caution about the PDRC’s proposal, saying there is no clause in the charter to allow court presidents to act following such a request.

He said the proposal is sensitive and must be thoroughly considered as it involves the institution of the monarchy. He said the proposal would face opposition from pro-government groups.

The spotlight Monday will shine on Mr Surachai who is expected to call an informal meeting of senators to discuss the political situation and the EC’s meeting to discuss a royal decree on the election.

A senator source said Mr Surachai would not act to meet Mr Suthep demands directly but he would hold forums to hear views from several parties including academics and business operators to “find a way out”.

Swat team plan to arrest PDRC leaders

Capo unveils idea to target key figures

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) is vowing to use police commandos to arrest 14 core members of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), including protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

Announcing the operation yesterday, Capo secretary Tarit Pengdith insisted that police would not attempt to disperse protesters, but would target leaders instead.

He cited the Office of the Attorney-General's (OAG) decision on Thursday to indict 51 PDRC figures including 14 core leaders who already face arrest warrants for treason.

The court will today hear the OAG’s request to indict the 51 on 10 charges in connection with the group’s movements. Capo expects more arrest warrants to be issued soon after the hearing, Mr Tarit said.

Immediately after any warrants are issued, Capo will start its operation to arrest the 14 PDRC co-leaders. The Anti-Money Laundering Office will also be asked to freeze the suspects’ assets.

The operation is likely to lead to clashes and injuries, so members of the public who are not involved in the PDRC’s movements should avoid protest areas, he added.

Day 3: Our Sunday coverage

16:00

People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban has announced the closure of the Lumpini Park rally site and the opening of a new site outside the United Nations building in the Ratchadamnoen area. The site will also consolidate the main groups allied with the PDRC, namely the Dhamma Army and the Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand (NSPRT).

9:00

Here are excerpts from the Bangkok Post's front-page story on the political conflict.

As United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters massed along Aksa Road in the capital's western suburbs, anti-government movement leader Suthep Thaugsuban repeated his call for the Senate, the courts and the Election Commission to establish an interim "people's government".

The People's Democratic Reform Committee headed by Mr Suthep wants a response by Monday, or it will take matters into its own hands. Its leaders are now occupying a building at Government House, with the blessing of military officials responsible for security at the compound.

UDD leader Jatuporn Promphan said Mr Suthep's declaration of a political vacuum in a bid to get an unelected prime minister was an unconstitutional act.

The country, according to the former Pheu Thai MP, still had a caretaker prime minister in charge, after the Constitutional Court ruling that unseated Yingluck Shinawatra and nine of her ministers on Wednesday.

In fact, it is the leadership of the Senate that should be challenged, said Mr Jatuporn.

The Senate on Friday evening elected Surachai Liangboonlertchai, who is seen as sympathetic to anti-government causes, as its new speaker. Mr Surachai has called for a Senate meeting on Monday to discuss current developments.
 
"There is no Senate speaker yet as the vote for Khun Surachai was beyond the declared agenda under the royal decree for the extraordinary session," Mr Jatuporn said.

Acting premier Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan also indicated on Saturday that he would seek legal advice from the Council of State about the legitimacy of Mr Surachai's election.

No Senate speaker has ever been elected at an extraordinary session, said Mr Jatuporn. "More importantly, the nomination of the senate chair could only be legally effective when a prime minister countersigned the nomination."

Mr Jatuporn said the UDD was ready to continue its rally for as long as it takes to support the government. The sight of tents along a four-kilometre stretch at Aksa Road, not far from a residence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, indicated people were willing to stay for a week or longer.

He said the UDD would try to exercise full tolerance and not move anywhere yet.

PDRC supporters, meanwhile, shrugged off widespread condemnation of their media harassment campaign and surrounded the headquarters of local TV stations to make sure they carried Mr Suthep's "major announcement" at 4pm.

All of the free-TV channels except government-run NBT broadcast Mr Suthep's speech live but cut away once it became clear that he was merely repeating what he had said on Friday. Channel 7 even switched immediately to a report from the UDD rally.

PDRC co-leader Thaworn Senneam said demonstrators would wait at their rally venues until Monday and in the meantime would continue to inform the public about the government's misuse of administrative power.

Spokesman Akanat Promphan, also a stepson of Mr Suthep, said PDRC demonstrators had to stay at TV stations to convince them to stop broadcasting "distorted information" from the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo).

11:00am update: It now looks likely that PDRC protesters will leave the TV channels to go to the Lumpini Park and Government House rally sites. They have already left Channel 9, saying officials there have been cooperating well. The move to pressure the channels has received much criticism.

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Day 2: Our Saturday coverage

What's really going on? Bangkok Post editor Pichai Chuensuksawadi explains in a front-page analysis in today's Bangkok Post. Here are some excerpts. You can read the full story here:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/409018/all-eyes-on-army-as-crisis-peaks

20:45

Day  two of the "all-out final battle" has almost ended and it is no longer a one-man show. Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan has also had a lot to say today. Here are the latest developments. (More tomorrow)

PDRC leader, Suthep Thuagsuban, speaking outside Government House this afternoon, renewed his call for the Senate leader, the courts and the Election Commission to appoint an interim prime minister, leading to the establishment an interim "people's government".

"There is currently no prime minister, no caretaker prime minister, only an acting PM" who has very limited powers, said Mr Suthep.

His call was immediately rejected by Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Mr Jatuporn called the proposal "unlawful", saying it could steer Thailand toward a civil war.

The red-shirt leader was speaking at Aksa Road, the site of the red-shirt mass rally in the capital's western suburbs.

Any attempt to involve the Senate leader could face legal challenges as well, as his appointment has not officially been approved by the King and there are also questions as whether the election in the Senate was proper.

Meanwhile, Luang Pu Bhudda Issara has taken his followers back to Chaeng Wattana after receiving a rather dramatic apology from police involved in yesterday's tear gas incident.

14:15

The PDRC and its allies, e.g., the Dhamma Army are still surrounding free TV stations. Their objective today is to ensure that these channels broadcast a major announcement from PDRC leader Suthep Thuagsuban at 4pm from Government House. PDRC leaders say they have agreement from most, if not all, the channels to do so.

Meanwhile, Luang Pu Bhudda Issara has brought protesters from his Chaeng Wattana site back to the headquarters of Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) on Viphavadi Road. Like yesterday, they are still outside and are demanding to see a CAPO representative. Luang Pu was reported to be feeling unwell from yesterday's tear gas incident but, apparently, he has recovered enough to led today's protest.

At the same time, at the edge of Bangkok near Nakhon Prathom, red-shirts are gathering for their mass rally for the on the three-kilometre Utthayan Road linking Phuddhamonthon Sai 3 and Phuddhamonthon Sai 4 roads. Core red-shirt leaders are scheduled to start their speeches at 6pm. They say the rally could last one month if necesssary.

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All eyes on army as crisis peaks

Pichai Chuensuksawadi

Suthep Thaugsuban’s move on Friday to mobilise anti-government protesters across the city is aimed at reinforcing his message that the caretaker government is inept and lacks legitimacy following the political blows it received this week.

Mr Suthep is trying to win over support from the leaders of three institutions which he believes still wield legitimate power — the Supreme Court president, the Senate speaker, and the Election Commission (EC) chairman — to push through the appointment of an interim prime minister under Section 7 of the charter.

As far as government supporters are concerned he will not succeed. And no matter how the political situation turns out this weekend, the role of the military is central to the current impasse — for better or worse.

The PDRC and its allies expressed satisfaction that Surachai Liangboonlertchai, the incumbent first deputy speaker and acting speaker, was elected the new Senate speaker last night.

The caretaker government had backed Pol Gen Jongrak Jutanont for the job.

The PDRC believes Sen Surachai will agree to the PDRC’s push for an interim PM through Section 7 of the constitution despite the fact that interpretation of the section is still disputed.

The law states: “Whenever no provision under this constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be decided in accordance with the constitutional practice in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State”.

It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court president, the new Senate speaker, and the Election Commission chairman will agree to Mr Suthep's demands.

If for whatever reason violence breaks out and the government is unable to control the situation, the military will be forced to step in.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, and his hand-picked right-hand man Maj Gen Apirat Kongsompong, commander of the 1st Division, King’s Guard, will be key decision-makers.

Day 1: Our Friday coverage

Day one of the "all-out final battle" goes to the PDRC. The anti-government group carried out their plans without opposition, but, as their leaders admit, their goal of an interim government and a people's council has not been met.

Tomorrow, the UDD begins their mass rally, complicating the PDRC's attempt to seize power. Confrontation between the two groups is unlikely for now, however. UDD leaders have urged their follows to use restraint because they do not want to do anything that might provoke a military coup.

We'll be  back tomorrow to see what happens.

16:45

Here, from our online reporters, is why Suthep Thaugsuban and other PDRC leaders went to parliament

The president of the Supreme Court and the senate speaker due to be selected today must set up an "interim people's government and legislative assembly" within the next few days, Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), demanded on Friday.

Mr Suthep said from the protest stage outside Government House around midday on Friday that the president of the Supreme Court and the senate speaker now represent the remaining pillars of power in Thailand.

They should act to form an interim government within a few days.

He said the PDRC would wait for these senior national figures to act. If they do not respond, the PDRC would do the job itself. He did not elaborate.

16:00

Suthep Thuagsuban has led a large group of PDRC supporters from Government House to parliament. He was allowed to enter with a small group of leaders and he presented a letter to acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liangbunlertchai asking that the Senate take an active role in leading the country out of its current impasse.

13:15

The first confrontation of the day has just taken place outside the well-defended Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) on Viphavadi Road. Luang Pu Bhudda Issara led protesters from the Chaeng Wattana site there late this morning to protest recent grenade attacks. It was quiet until, according to the Bangkok Post,  Lu Pu and at least some members of the group attempted to enter the CAPO area after waiting unsuccessfully to meet with a CAPO representatives. Police then fired tear gas and water cannon. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan medical centre reported at 1.07pm two men and two women were injured and sent to Vibhavadi Hospital.

Update: Luang Pu himself was said to be one of those treated for injuries, according to the Bangkok Post. He has now brought his group back to Chaeng Wattana. An opposing group that had threatened to expel his group from that rally site has now decided not to try to do so -- today's at least.

11:45

Outside Government House, Spring TV reports that Mr Suthep will likely lead a march to parliament this afternoon where the Senate is scheduled to elect a new president. It is not clear what the purpose of the march will be, but the PDRC is watching closely to see if the new president is allied to the current government, not something that would make them happy. Thai PBS reports the march to parliament will likely take place after 3pm. Mr Suthep and his group are planning to stay overnight at/outside Government House.

11:30

 

Post Today reports that PDRC core leader Thavorn Senniam and a group of about 500 supporters reached government-run Channel 11. Guards allowed the group through the gates, but not into the building itself. Mr Thavorn vowed to stay at the channel overnight and longer if necessary.

10:35

Apart from Channel 5 which has been surrounded by Dhamma Army members, PDRC protesters are now outside Channels 3 and 7.

10:25

The Dhamma Army has arrived at Thai TV Channel 5. Veteran People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Chamlong Srimuang is with them. Suthep Thuagsuban is on Phya Thai road on his way to Government House.

Here is a summary of the situation from our online reporters:

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said Friday he would wait all day at the long-shuttered Government House if new acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn or any other cabinet member wants to drop by his rally for talks.

"If anyone see Mr Niwatthamrong, please tell him or invite him to have a talk with Luong Kamnan", (Uncle Kamnan), as Mr Suthep has dubbed himself in recent months.

Mr Suthep also said he would welcome visits by Tarit Pengdit, chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Chaikasem Nitisiri, caretaker justice minister.

Mr Suthep led protesters to Government House, which has been closed for months, and said he would wait for Mr Niwatthamrong there.

He said protesters would be "visiting" TV stations as well as Government House, and would welcome food and drinks from the community.

The PDRC on Friday divided into six groups heading to different locations for the 11th "final battle" to bring down the government, now depleted by Tuesday's disqualification by the Constitutional Court of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra and 10 ministers. Lumpini Park stage will remain the main site of the protest for meals, evening rallies and overnight stay.

9:30

Mr Suthep has now asked the leaders of current caretaker cabinet to meet with him at Government House. Also, the marches to TV channels are supposed to be aimed, not at shutting them down, but to require them to cover his press conferences and to stop reporting on the current government.

9:15

PDRC leader Suthep Thuagsuban is now on the Lumpini Park stage detailing what it going to happen. Blue Sky TV says this includes a march to Government House while other groups focus on free TV channels, including channels 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, demanding they stop reporting on the current government. He wants a change of government with three days, he says.

Democrat Theptai Seanapong has just tweeted that this is the beginning of a "people's coup".

We will be watching today to see how many of possible protest actions actually happen.

PDRC kicks off ‘all-out final battle’

The anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will kick off its "all-out final battle" rally Friday, with the possibility that they might attempt to occupy major government buildings and lay siege to free-to-air TV stations, according to a source in the PDRC.

Invigorated by the Constitutional Court's ruling that ousted caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine of her cabinet ministers on Wednesday, the PDRC abruptly brought forward its planned rally from next Wednesday to Friday.

As part of its promised last-ditch attempt to seize power and replace the caretaker cabinet with an interim government, the PDRC was preparing to mobilise its supporters to occupy Government House, the headquarters of the government, said the same PDRC source.

Parliament was also being considered as another target, but that occupation would probably be carried out at a later date, said the source.

The PDRC wants to seize parliament because the building will be needed for the process of selecting members of what it has described as a "people's council", which will be responsible for leading reforms before a new election is called, the source added.

Aside from these two main government buildings, the PDRC was also considering occupying the Royal Thai Police Office, the Interior Ministry and the Defence Ministry, the source said.

The PDRC protesters led by Luang Pu Buddha Isara at the Chaeng Watthana rally site would act as a rapid-deployment unit for the PDRC's seizure of these government offices, while other supporters of the PDRC remaining at the main Lumpini Park rally site, would follow later, the same source said.

Some free-to-air television channel stations were also being considered as targets by the PDRC.

Pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairman Jatuporn Prompan, meanwhile, confirmed Thursday that the red shirts would hold a major rally Saturday on Utthayan Road.

The UDD would also invite Ms Yingluck to the gathering, Mr Jatuporn said.

He said political developments in the country have been shifting rapidly, as the movement to overthrow democracy was speeding up its attempt to install a new prime minister through Section 7 of the constitution.

The red-shirt supporters should now prepare to fight the person who has been pulling the strings of the independent agencies which are trying to oust the caretaker government, he said.

"Here is the message to all UDD leaders and red-shirt supporters: Our current enemy is the 'smart elite system'," Mr Jatuporn said.

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