Key events on 31 December 2013
           At around 11.50 pm., a volunteer security guard of the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform (NSPTR) was shot and critically injured in a drive-by shooting at Suan Misakawan intersection on Ratchadamnoen Nok road. The unknown gunmen also threw giant firecrackers into the rally site at Makawarn Rangsan intersection.
            Thirty seven members of the election committees including the chairman of the provincial panel in six constituencies of Surat Thani province resigned from their posts under mounting pressure from anti-government protesters.

Key events on 1 January 2014
Constituency candidate registration in the six southern provinces of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, Phatthalung and Songkhla was cancelled for a fourth consecutive day due to pressure from anti-government protestors.  The deadline for the constituency candidate registration is today. Candidates had not been able to register in a total of 30 constituencies.
            Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt expressed disagreement with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on its plan to shut down Bangkok after the New Year holidays, which constitutes a violation of other people’s constitution right to freedom of movement.

Key events on 2 January 2014
The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) announced plans to “shut down Bangkok” on 13 January 2014, which will see road blockades at major intersections, power and water cuts at key locales to prevent civil servants from discharging their duties. Public transportation, however, will not be disrupted.
The National Police Chief, in an interview with the media, responded that the so-called “men in black” perched at the rooftop of the Labor Ministry were indeed police men. Investigations to identify the said police personnel were still ongoing.

Key events on 3 January 2014
The National Police Chief, at the press conference at the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), apologized for the attack on a vehicle by riot control police near Din Daeng stadium and admitted they had overreacted to the situation on 26 December 2013 after shots were fired at them and under pressure from anti-government protestors.

The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), headed by the Prime Minister, decided that the Internal Security Act was sufficient in dealing with the protestors’ plan to shut down Bangkok. Police officers will be deployed with military personnel serving as supporting units as well as to provide on-site security to key government buildings.
The Election Commission (EC) Secretary-General reaffirmed the EC’s commitment to conduct the general elections on 2 February 2014 as planned. The EC also decided not to extend the registration period for the 28 Southern constituencies claiming that it did not have the jurisdiction to do so. The EC suggested that candidates who were not able to register within the dealing file a complaint with the Supreme Court, which is in line with Section 39 of the 2007 election law . 

Key events on 4 January 2014
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister made a televised announcement that the planned shut down of Bangkok by the PDRC is considered illegal. Legal actions will be taken against key PDRC leaders found to have violated the law. The Deputy Prime Minister pleaded for the people not to attend the rallies as it would not only be unlawful but also detrimental to the economy. The Deputy Prime Minister urged people to exercise their right to vote on 2 February 2014.  He also said that the Government had directed all government agencies to come up with back up plans in case of the major shut down. The PDRC announced that they would stage marches on 5, 7 and 9 January 2014 to garner support for the planned mass rally to shut down Bangkok. The rallies, however, would only take place during day time due to security concerns.

Key events on 5 January 2014
The Prime Minister issued a statement on her Facebook account calling on all Thais to exercise their right to vote in accordance with a democratic regime as it is the only viable option for the country to move forward. The Prime Minister also urged all Thais to convert the rallies into a force for reforms by making use of the reform forum to actuate changes through the new Government and Parliament.

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News Division
Department of Information