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Thailand’s general election was disrupted yesterday by protestors halting voting in parts of Bangkok and the south of the country.
Protests prevented voting from taking place in 438 of Bangkok’s 6,671 polling stations, and there was no voting at all in nine southern provinces.
Some six million registered voters were affected by the closures, the BBC reported.
But officials said that 89% of polling stations operated normally.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand confirmed yesterday that “several” polling stations in Bangkok and other provinces had been disrupted by the anti-government demonstrators as part of a campaign for national reform before election.
“In general, there have been no problems with voting in the most parts of Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand although there have been reports of clashes at several polling stations.” TAT said.
“While the demonstrations are taking place in the central Bangkok areas, life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as usual.
“However, tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid the demonstration areas for their own safety and security.”
Security has been heavy throughout Thailand, with vast areas under a 60-day state of emergency imposed on January 22.
TAT stressed that all major tourist attractions in the Thai capital, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn, are open normally.
“Bangkok is a large city and so it is possible for local residents and international visitors to avoid the demonstration areas,” the touism authority said.
“Traffic in the most parts of Bangkok is also moving normally since all other roads and expressways are not affected by the demonstrations.”