Thailand Live Sunday 3 Jul 2011

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Drunken woman arrested for tearing ballot; polling stations in South under tight security /MCOT

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TAN correspondent Sunisa Chutinathorn asks voters of their plans after voting. Most say they're heading home to watch election results /TAN_Network

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Chiang Mai's the Hmongs on Doi Pui also come to vote. RT @jack_nnanorth

/via@Aim_NT

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Chumpol hopes Thailand will step out of crisis after polls

BANGKOK, 3 July 2011 (NNT) – Chart Thai Pattana Party Leader Chumpol Silapa-archa has encouraged voters to come out and cast their votes as he believes that the country will be able to go through the crisis while democracy will be improved.

Mr Chumpol cast his vote on Sunday morning at 9.21 hrs in Phra Khanong district. Speaking after voting, he encouraged people to come out and vote as early as possible because the Meteorological Department had warned of rain in the afternoon.

The Chart Thai Pattana leader stated that this election was very important for people to express their determination after a political crisis and strong social division in the country.

Mr Chumpol, also Tourism and Sports Minister, asked all sides to be united for national interest and reconciliation. He added that it was good to see a lot of people coming out to vote both in Bangkok and other provinces nationwide as the voter turnout might reach 80%.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the polling station where the minister had cast his vote is very lively with a number of people queuing up to exercise their political rights.

-- NNT 2011-07-03

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Chavarat urges Thais to vote

BANGKOK, 3 July 2011 (NNT) – Bhumjaithai Party Leader Chavarat Charnvirakul has encouraged people to come out and vote in the election in order to exercise their political rights and perform duties as Thai citizens.

Mr Chavarat, also Interior Minister, and his family came to cast their votes in the polling station in Yannawa district, Bangkok, on Sunday morning. He stated that casting votes in the election was a prime duty and rights of people in a democratic society.

The Bhumjaithai party leader then voiced his readiness to accept the result of Thai people’s decision in the election. He then encouraged people to come out to vote and exercise their rights in a democratic manner.

Asked whether his party would join hands with other parties in forming a new government, the minister declined to give comments, saying he would wait until the election result became clear first.

Meanwhile, a number of people in the polling station where the minister went to vote gradually came out to vote continuously amid police security.

-- NNT 2011-07-03

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Democrat leader Abhisit followed the vote counting in this room on Dec 23, 2007. @ThaiElection11 http://yfrog.com/gzfs2gbj /viaR@Aim_NT

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[photo] The Shinawatras led by Khunying Pojamarn at polling sation at the Settasatien School. http://yfrog.com/h0g66cgj /by @nationphoto

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Less than three hours left for Thai voters. Your vote is your voice, your choice, your right, your responsibility. /via@KristieKenney

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CORRECTION: Panthongtae Shinawatra DID NOT drop his ID card in the ballot box, but joked with reporters he ALMOST did cause was so nervous. /TAN_Network

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47 millions Thai are eligible to vote today, 3 million of which are 18 years old or so-called first-time voters. /via @Thai_PBS #ThaiElection

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79-year-old man was arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima for tearing ballot paper. He said he tore it to fit ballot box. /via@paisal_nt

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EC can't help Chamlong but suggests he files a complaint. photo by @nationphoto http://yfrog.com/hsfifvnj /via@veen_NT:

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Rumour of people wearing red not being allowed to vote is NOT true. Samut Prakan voter: http://yfrog.com/hs44223246j /via@RichardBarrow:

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EC reports a low turnout in Constituency 4 of Bkk (via @thepchaiyong) - if u in the area, go out and do your duty please- 2.30 hr to go /via@veen_NT

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Rak Prathet Thai Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit on Sunday revealed he spent Bt10 million to sway votes nationwide. /via@paisal_nt:

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[photo] Pheu Thai candidate Yingluck Shinawatra casts her vote at Bung Kum district this morning. http://yfrog.com/h3jk4kwj /by @nationphoto

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79-year-old man arrested for tearing ballot paper

Nakhon Ratchasima - A 79-year-old man was arrested at a polling station in this northeastern province after he tore a ballot paper for part-list voting.

Saeng Prompakdee a resident of Sungnone district was arrested at the polling station No 6 in Constituency 14.

Saeng told police that he could not slip the ballot paper of party-list vote into the box so he tore it into two parts so that he could put them into the box.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Chuwit's Bt 10 million campaign spending

Rak Prathet Thai Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit on Sunday revealed he spent Bt10 million to sway votes nationwide, voicing optimism for his vote outcome.

"Based on my campaign spending, I am not surprised why politicians would try to solicit ill-gotten gains after being elected," he said.

Chuwit was speaking after casting his ballot at Polling Station No 84 in Din Daeng. He also said major parties had already tried to negotiation the coalition formation.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Sanoh surprised Thais are more active about this election than in the past

SA KAEO, 3 July 2011 (NNT)-Pheu Thai Party list MP Mr. Sanoh Tienthong said Thai people are more active about this election than the elections in the past while expressing his confidence that his party will win 300 seats to form the new government.

Mr. Sanoh and his family including his wife, Mrs Urainwan Tiengthong, and his son Mr. Sorawong Tienthong traveled to Wattana Nakhon constituency (no.6), in Sa Kaeo Province to cast their votes. He said that as far as his political experience is concerned, this election is the most active one he has ever seen. He cited his observation on the voters, whom he said, paid more attention to the election than before.

The report further said that voters in Wattana Nakhon district have continuously come out to vote while the weather has been better. It is expected that an unofficial result of the election will be known by no later than 21.00 hrs today.

-- NNT 2011-07-03

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Long queues of voters at polling booths

BANGKOK, July 3, 2011 (NNT) - Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond disclosed the result of his inspections at 11 polling stations in Don Muang constituency that eligible voters were dissatisfied with the service provided by election officials and the time of queueing up to cast a ballot.

The EC chairman said the problems found during this election ought to be prevented in the next election, adding that the problems were rooted in the coordination between EC officials and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials. He elaborated that BMA officials were found less flexible in handling a large number of voters.

Moreover, EC Chairman of Malaysia who visited polling booths as an election observer, commented that the Thai election has a better operating system than in Malaysia since the election can be held in 4-5 polling stations while in his country only 2 polling stations are allowed

-- NNT 2011-07-03

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Vote count to complete by evening

The counting of ballots should complete no later than 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm and the unofficial outcome should be known tonight, Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond on Sunday.

"The counting will done at each polling state, each of which designated to serve about 800 voters," he said.

Apichart the counting should be speedy because each polling stations would have to count no more than 800 ballots.

He said police and electoral officials were investigating alleged attempts to buy votes taken place on Saturday's night, the eve of election day. Most cases happened in the Northeast, including the incident in Maha Sarakham, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Transparency International promoting democracy in the election

BANGKOK, 3 July 2011 (NNT)-Dr Juree Vijitwatakarn, secretary general of Transparency International (Thailand) is encouraging Thai people who are eligible to vote to leave their homes and exercise their rights while stressing that an important element of democrcy is not simply to exercise political rights but to show their participation in the spirits of true democracy.

Dr. Juree urged Thais to participate in the election sensibly and responsibly as an honest individual and not amassing a rally. They should remain impartial and supportive no matter what the outcome may turn out to be. They should encourage good and transparent conducts and expose the bad.

In the true spirits of democracy, Dr. Juree said dignity for themselves and respect for other people should also be practiced.

-- NNT 2011-07-03

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Bangkok vote satisfactory at midday

The voter turnout is higher than expected in the capital by midday and there is no balloting violations reported, Bangkok Election Commission member Supoj Paiboon said on Sunday

"Bangkok residents have turned out in large numbers, the weather is fine for balloting and no violations reported," he said.

Supoj said he believed the balloting would successfully proceed to completion in the afternoon.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Bangkok vote satisfactory at midday

By The Nation

The voter turnout is higher than expected in the capital by midday and there is no balloting violations reported, Bangkok Election Commission member Supoj Paiboon said on Sunday.

"Bangkok residents have turned out in large numbers, the weather is fine for balloting and no violations reported," he said.

Supoj said he believed the balloting would successfully proceed to completion in the afternoon.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Over 100 media members r now at Democrat HQ. http://lockerz.com/s/116551765 /via@Aim_NT

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Vote count to complete by evening

By The Nation

The counting of ballots should complete no later than 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm and the unofficial outcome should be known tonight, Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond on Sunday.

"The counting will done at each polling state, each of which designated to serve about 800 voters," he said.

Apichart the counting should be speedy because each polling stations would have to count no more than 800 ballots.

He said police and electoral officials were investigating alleged attempts to buy votes taken place on Saturday's night, the eve of election day. Most cases happened in the Northeast, including the incident in Maha Sarakham, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Correction: Call 1171 if you detect any electoral irregularities. /via@nationnews

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Smallest polling station in Phichit

Phichit - A polling station in Phichit has only three eligible voters all of whom have cast their vote.

The station is in Moo 3 village in Tambon Sam-ngarm in Sam-ngarm district has three eligible voters - Somkiart Chotephuang, Thanyawarat Chotephuang and Krin Tinakhad.

Election officials said the station saw 100 per cent turnout.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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A polling station chief dies on the job

By The Nation

As the polling station No 7 in Prachin Buri's Prachantakham district was opening the doors to voters, its chief Pairoj Norirat fainted and had his head hit the floor. He died at the scene.

But the overall balloting nationwide proceeded smoothly as of midday, Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit said on Sunday's afternoon.

Voters turned out in large numbers at all 90,854 polling stations in 77 provinces.

In Suhkothai, electoral officials decided to relocate eight polling stations due to floods.

In Phichit, a nine-year-old boy was hit by a truck transporting materials to set up a polling station. He died upon arrival at the hospital.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Moment of Truth: after the ballot box closed at 3pm, EXIT polls will be revealed. Are you ready? /via@veen_NT