Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    July 03, 2011

Thailand Votes for Next Leaders

   Election comes amid concerns for stability in the divided country

   Daniel Schearf | Bangkok
   Photo: Reuters
   Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks in the rain to
   supporters during final campaigning efforts for the ruling Democrat
   Party in Bangkok July 1, 2011. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND -
   Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

   Voters went to the polls Sunday in Thailand where citizens are choosing
   the country's next leaders in the first nationwide election in five
   years.

   The election comes as the country is deeply divided with widespread
   concerns about whether the vote will bring stability or lead to further
   conflict.
   There are about 40 political parties competing in the election, the
   first nationwide vote in five years.
   The contest is mainly between the ruling Democrats of Prime Minister
   Abhisit Vejjajiva and the opposition Pheu Thai, led by Yingluck
   Shinawatra, the younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin
   Shinawatra.
   Most opinion polls leading up to the election indicated Pheu Thai had a
   slight lead, but that many Thais were also undecided.
   Early voting in Bangkok was largely calm as voters assembled at schools
   and government buildings to cast their ballots.
   After casting her vote Sunday morning at a local school in Bangkok's
   Nawamin sub-district, Ms. Yingluck told journalists she would have a
   better idea of her party's chances in the afternoon after voting ends.
   She said, "I think let's see from the exit poll better, yes. And, I
   will give you more detail after that, thanks."
   The vote is seen as a test of Thailand's commitment to democracy.
   Ms. Yingluck is widely viewed as a proxy for her brother who, despite
   being popularly elected twice, was ousted by the military in 2006 over
   concerns he was growing too powerful.
   Mr. Thaksin's critics say he was corrupt, authoritarian and disloyal to
   Thailand's revered monarchy. He denies all the charges and in 2008 fled
   into exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.
   Nonetheless, in the past few general elections, Thailand voted
   overwhelmingly for parties aligned with Mr. Thaksin.
   But controversial court orders dissolved those governments for election
   fraud and banned their leaders from office for five years.
   Political wrangling brought Prime Minister Abhisit to power by
   parliamentary vote, raising accusations from Mr. Thaksin's supporters
   that Bangkok elites conspired to remove their elected leaders.
   If his Democrats win a majority, it would give Mr. Abhisit's government
   the popular legitimacy it has lacked.
   Mr. Abhisit voted at the Sawasdee Wittaya school in downtown Bangkok.
   After casting his ballot, he told a crowd of journalists that he is
   urging all Thai's to come out to exercise their rights.
   Thailand has seen sporadic street protests and violence in a power
   struggle between Mr. Abhisit's backers among the traditional elite and
   the military, and Mr. Thaksin's mainly working-class followers.
   The fight culminated in street battles last year between soldiers and
   armed elements among Mr. Thaksin's Red Shirt supporters. The fighting
   left 90 people dead, most of them civilians.
   Rioting protesters looted and set fire to more than 30 buildings,
   gutting a historic cinema and a major shopping mall.
   If neither side wins an outright majority Sunday, the party with the
   most votes has the first chance to form a coalition government with
   smaller parties. If they are unable to reach a power-sharing deal, the
   party with the second-largest number of votes can try.
   Observers worry if the results are not accepted there could be further
   clashes, perhaps more deadly and damaging.
   Unrest could once again give the military reason to intervene. Thailand
   has had 18 coups or attempted coups since becoming a constitutional
   monarchy in 1932.
   It comes as the country is deeply divided with widespread concerns
   about whether the vote will bring stability or lead to further
   conflict.

.