Thais cast advance ballots ahead of key election

BANGKOK—Up to about two million voters were expected to submit advance ballots on Sunday in Thailand’s first election since the kingdom was rocked by its worst civil violence in decades last year.

Some 2.4 million of Thailand’s 46 million eligible voters registered for advance votes ahead of the July 3 poll, with opinion surveys showing the ruling Democrats lagging behind a resurgent opposition.

The vote is seen as a key test of whether Thailand can finally draw a line under the often-bloody political crisis that has gripped the nation since the army ousted controversial ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup.

Although he lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, Thaksin is widely seen as the de facto leader of the main opposition Puea Thai Party and his youngest sister is the frontrunner to be premier.

“I hope this election will bring peace and order because it is the voice of the people,” said 18-year-old student and first-time voter Porntiwa Promjit after casting her ballot in Bangkok.

Parties linked to Thaksin have won the most seats in the past four elections, but the courts reversed the results of the last two polls.

Even if the army and courts do not intervene again, there are fears that at least one of Thailand’s rival protest movements might take to the streets once more if their side loses, leading to fresh turmoil.

“I am not sure everything will be smooth after the election,” said shopkeeper Akachai Kamkoon, 30, who also voted Sunday.

Mass anti-government protests by Thaksin’s “Red Shirt” supporters last year triggered a military crackdown that left more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in street clashes between protesters and armed troops.