THOUSANDS of people in Bangkok have lined up in long queues and braved the hot weather to cast their ballots on Sunday, May 7.
According to the Election Commission (EC), there are 52 million eligible voters aged 18 and above across Thailand.
Of this number, more than 2.1 million Thais qualify for early voting, including 111,069 living abroad, and have registered themselves from March 25 to April 9.
Bangkok alone has recorded more than 800,000 advanced voters.
There are 74 polling stations in the Capital and Ramkhamhaeng University will have the largest number of registered voters recorded at about 52,000.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has told affiliated agencies to inspect high-risk areas to prevent violent incidents before the upcoming polls.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, PMaj.Gen. Jirasant Kaesaeng-ek assured security measures are in place to maintain order, with nearly 3,000 security officers deployed to enforce security in Bangkok.
In addition, the Royal Thai Police intensified efforts to suppress criminal activity, including all forms of vote buying and electoral fraud.
Each eligible voter will receive two ballots, one for the local constituency MP and the other ballot for the party-list while a total of 500 MPS will be elected.
Thailand’s incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former Army Chief who first seized power during a military coup in 2014, is running again for office and seeks to stay in power for two more years to complete unfinished work.
