Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha
Bangkok: In wake of the fierce resistance and boycott by the protesters, Thailand government will deploy over 10, 000 police personnel in the capitall to avert any untoward incident on the election day, reports said.
Thailand elections which are scheduled for Feb 2, were announced by the PM Yingluck Shinawatra as a measure to defuse the persistent protests, however the protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban boycotted the election which is believed to bring back the “Thaksin regime” to the power.
However, Suthep on Thursday said that his people will not disrupt the election like last Sunday, saying that it will amount to violating people`s rights, reports said.
Though he said that he continued to boycott the vote, he wouldn`t try obstructing the polls anymore, saying, "whoever wants to vote, they can. But what we`re trying to campaign for is that if you agree with us don`t vote," the Voice of America quoted him.
Last Sunday saw violence flaring up at various advance polling stations with a considerable chunk of the polling stations being closed or attacked by anti-govt protesters aiming to disrupt the elections.
Earlier the country`s Election commission had suggested that the elections must be postponed given the unrest and chaos in the capital.
However, despite instances of violence, Thialand PM said that the elections would go ahead as planned.
To ensure security, Thailand Army will deploy more troops on the streets of Bangkok. Already 5000 troops are on the roads in the capital, reports said.
The elections which have been boycotted by the main opposition Democrat Party, if proceeded smoothly (which is unlikely given the extent of chaos, are sure to bring victory to Yingluck`s Puea Thai Party.
Thailand is in the grip of chaos and political crisis since November last year when the government wanted to pass Amnesty Bill that would have facilitated the PM`s brother Thaksin Shinawatra entry into the country.
Thaksin, who is in a self-impose exile, was ousted in a military coup in 2006 for power abuse and corruption.
The protesters led by Suthep, call Yingluck govt a puppet regime which works under the influence of Thaksin, and want her to step down and establish an unelected "people`s council".
The protests have turned violent on many occasions, with the death toll being 10 in last three months.
