泰国大选34个党派首日登记 为泰党再推英拉竞选

The path to the Feb 2 general election is not yet clear despite 34 political parties reporting to the Election Commission (EC) on the first day of candidacy registration.

The first day of party-list candidate registration was thrown into disarray after several hundred anti-government demonstrators surrounded the Thai-Japanese Stadium, the candidate registration venue.

Even though representatives from nine political parties including the Pheu Thai Party were able to get inside the stadium, representatives from 25 other parties which were not able to get in went to file complaints at the Din Daeng police station and the Crime Suppression Division.

They also reported to EC officers at Din Daeng station since they were unable to submit their documents.

The parties included Pheu Thai, Chart Pattana, Rak Santi, and Chartthaipattana.

All the 34 parties will join a draw for ballot sheet numbers to be scheduled later. Any change of venue will first be announced in the Royal Gazette.

"We will see when the time comes. They may have to get in by abseiling," joked EC commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn.

"We have until Friday. Every party has to register. If they can't the EC will see what it can do," said Mr Somchai.

But more hurdles still lie ahead as the protesters are set to block the parties from taking part in the draw.

More chaotic scenes can be expected when registration for constituency candidates is held between Saturday and next Wednesday in 77 provinces nationwide. The South could experience particularly bad disruption as it is the support base of the Democrat Party and most voters there have made it clear they will boycott the election.

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban called on protesters last night to protest at each location where the election process takes place.

There are various tactics to disrupt the election, particularly the protests led by former veteran politicians like Mr Suthep, secretary-general of the PDRC.

He told the protesters that "since most people do not want the election, what can [the EC] do if local election committee members take the ballot boxes from voting venues and throw them in the river"?

After all, the anti-graft movement may be the most crucial factor that could disrupt the new government and the House after the election, if it happens.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)'s investigation into the government's rice-pledging scheme will also deal a blow to the caretaker government.

An NACC inquiry committee said it expected to conclude the case after the New Year and this would adversely affect the government.