Polling in Thai border areas problem-free

BANGKOK, July 3 (TNA) - Polling in Thai border provinces is problem-free, especially in the Northeast that borders Cambodia.

Thai eligible voters keep arriving at their polling units to exercise their right in Si Sa Ket province where border clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers broke out a few months ago.

Si Sa Ket governor Somsak Suwansujarit visited the polling unit at Ban Phum Srol village in Kantharalak district. The unit is located near Thai-Cambodian border and is adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple. A large number of voters turned up to exercise their right there.

The governor said that border situations remained calm. District authorities asked police and soldiers to strictly protect voters and prevent any wrongdoing. Soldiers from the Suranaree Task Force who are deployed near the Preah Vihear temple keep patrolling the area.

In the adjacent province of Ubon Ratchathani, the provincial governor Surapol Saiphan inspected polling units in the Ubon Ratchathani municipality. He said local authorities were prepared for any untoward incidents but there had not been any.

Monthai Pramoonjakko, chief of election authorities in Ubon Ratchathani, said the turnout in the province should exceed 76% which was the previous turnout percentage in the 2007 election.

In Sa Kaeo province that also borders Cambodia, the provincial governor Sanit Naksukksri said the election continued smoothly in general and there was neither unrest nor complaint. He believes locals pay much attention to this election and expects the local turnout to be higher than the previous election turnout rate of 74% in 2007.

In the southern Thai province of Phatthalung, a small number of people cast their votes Sunday morning due to rains. Besides, some people went to wrong polling units.

Phatthalung governor Pisit Boonchuang said rains discouraged eligible voters this morning. (TNA)