Thai EC-caretaker government election talks collapse

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - An election discussion between the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) and the caretaker government has been disrupted by anti-government protesters. Leaders of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) reached the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters in Bangkok's Don Muang area on Thursday morning, while Acting Caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan and other caretaker ministers concerned were discussing with the five-member EC, led by EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen, on issues related to Thailand's next general election at the Kantarak Auditorium in the Royal Thai Air Force's compound. PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban led his demonstrators from the PDRC's main rally site now, in front of the United Nations' regional office on Rajadamnoen Avenue, to rally in front of the Air Force headquarters, while a PDRC co-leader, Sathit Wongnongtoey, led another group of PDRC protesters to break into the auditorium. The caretaker government had postponed the meeting from May 14 to May 15, citing safety concerns. The PDRC protesters demanded Niwatthamrong’s resignation Their arrival prompted Niwatthamrong, other caretaker ministers and all the five election commissioners to end their meeting at once. The EC and the caretaker government earlier planned to discuss whether Niwatthamrong could legally propose a royal decree on setting the next national poll date and whether the EC has authority to postpone the next general election in case that the situation is considered unpromising, based on the Thai Constitution. Meanwhile, domestic political violence has continued, as, on early Thursday morning, around 3am, at least three people were killed and more than 20 others were injured in gun and grenade attacks near the PDRC's main rally site on Rajadamnoen Avenue. The figures were confirmed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s Erawan Medical Centre in its updated report released around noon. The 10-minute-long shooting and the M79 and M16 grenade attacks occurred at the Democracy Monument and nearby Khok Wua Intersection. All those dead and injured were taken to nearby hospitals. (TNA)