Thailand’s Election Commission has asked police to provide protection for politicians and their supporters during the registration of candidates running in the general election, following an assassination attempt on Tuesday.
EC Secretary-General Suthipol Taweechaikarn said on Wednesday that police will first be needed at the Thailand-Japan Youth Centre at Din Daeng, where the candidates will register from May 19-23.
The security precautions follow the attack on Pracha Prasopdee, a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan, on Tuesday night. A gunman fired multiple shots into his vehicle, hitting him once in the back. He is said to be recovering well.
Mr Suthipol also said the EC has also made preparations for observers who want to monitor the July 3 general election. So far, no international organization had shown interest in doing so, he said.
The EC will launch a public relations campaign to inform voters of their rights and about the acceptable code of conduct for election candidates, which includes not involving the monarchy in any way during campaigning.
He said the EC will be strictly impartial and he asked for all parties, interest groups and individuals to cooperate to ensure clean and fair elections so that the country can overcome its past crises and move forward under democratic rule.
(Bangkok Post)
