Thai Property News

Looks like the long awaited return to democracy as voters across the country went to the polls on Saturday for the first of two days of advance voting, and the Election Commission indicated that the polls were peaceful….and busy…

The Bangkok Post reports almost a million voters turned out across the country yesterday to cast advance votes for the general election, defying earlier speculation of public apathy towards the long-awaited polls marking a symbolic return to democracy following the military coup in Sept 19 last year which toppled then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his elected government.

Analysts have said that yesterday’s high turnout can be seen as representative of the mood around the country towards the election and that it shows that the general public is anxious to get the country back on the democratic track.

A total of 893,659 people turned out for the first of two days of advance voting yesterday - 43% of the 2.09 million people who registered to cast advance ballots outside the constituencies where they have house registrations. Advance voting ends at 5pm today.

A total of 415,803 people from other provinces who registered for advance voting cast their ballots in Bangkok yesterday. Another 94,536 voters registered in the capital also took the opportunity to get in their votes early.

The government is hoping for at least a 70% overall voter turnout.

Meanwhile, to maintain law and order, sales or serving of alcoholic drinks was prohibited throughout Thailand until midnight (1700 GMT) Sunday. Violators face a maximum fine of 10,000 baht or six years imprisonment.

This is what we have all been waiting for - and this will hopefully get Thailand back on track, and will hoepfully be good for the Thai property market. Thailand Property News will keep you posted with the results. For the full report,see:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=124448