Southern Thailand Stumbles On Election registration

BANGKOK, January 1 (TNA) - Constituency candidate registrations in Southern Thailand for the February 2 national election remained in limbo on Wednesday, the last day for registration, after anti-government protesters blocked the venues. Officials said protesters loyal to the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), who demand for political reform prior to election, blocked the Election Commission (EC) office in the southern resort province of Krabi. They also blew whistles at officials after negotiations were met with failure. In Trang and Surat Thani provinces, protesters declared victory after they successfully blocked all registration venues. Three political parties had lodged complaints with police in Songkhla, Phuket and Phatthalung provinces over the movement. It was still unknown whether the registration period would be extended. And although time could be extended, election candidates would not enough time to woo voters to visit polling booths. (TNA)