Soldiers to provide security on election day:Army chief

BANGKOK, January 31 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered soldiers to help provide security on the coming Sunday’s general election to prevent, probably, clashes between anti and pro-government groups of people. Army Deputy Spokesman Colonel Winthai Suwaree told journalists on Friday that General Prayuth has instructed soldiers to perform their duties to the best of their abilities when providing security to people on the February 2 general election. General Prayuth acknowledged that there would not be sufficient soldiers to station at all polling units nationwide or at all violence-prone sites as demanded by the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). According to the deputy army spokesman, General Prayuth has told soldiers to focus on negotiations and refrain from using force or violence. As street anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok have been dragged on, authorities concerned, meanwhile, urged PDRC core leaders not to block the coming Sunday’s general election. PDRC protesters have held marathon rallies in the capital since October 31, 2013 to oust the caretaker government and called on eligible voters not to turn out to cast their ballots on Sunday, claiming that the caretaker government has lost its administrative legitimacy and charging that the upcoming national poll is against the law. (TNA)