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Thailand votes in first polls since coup
BANGKOK - Thais went to the polls on Sunday in an election meant to restore democracy more than a year after the military ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whose shadow looms large over the balloting. About 45.7 million Thais are eligible to vote in the first post-coup election, in which opinion polls predict neither of the kingdoms two leading parties will win a clear majority of the 480 seats in parliament.The Election Commission said voter turnout would likely reach 70 percent, with unofficial results expected by midnight Sunday. This December 23 election is very critical for Thailand. Its an historic poll, election commissioner Prapun Naigowit said. Were urging people to go to vote to bring the country back to democracy, to move the country forward and to be accepted by the international community, he said. Voters began lining up shortly before polling stations opened in Bangkok, many of them wearing yellow or pink shirts in honour of the nations revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Frontrunners in the race are the People Power Party (PPP), which was taken over by allies of Thaksins disbanded Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, and the Democrat Party, Thailands oldest political outfit. Analysts predict the outcome of the election will be unlikely to resolve deep divisions between anti-Thaksin urban dwellers and the rural masses, who remain loyal to the deposed leader. PPP draws most of its support from farmers, the majority of Thailands 64 million population, who remember efforts by the self-made billionaire Thaksin to boost the rural economy during his five-year rule. The Democrat Party is popular among Bangkoks middle-class, who spearheaded anti-Thaksin protests that culminated in the coup. Posted by: Steve White 2007-12-23 |
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