Thailand's Caretaker PM urges voters to cast ballots

BANGKOK, January 31 (TNA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has encouraged eligible voters to exercise their right on February 2, 2014. Yingluck posted the message on her facebook page on Thursday afternoon together with a picture of her “Wai” or Thai greeting gesture, stating that some people think the February 2 polling would lead to political disturbances and violence but several others believe that voting protects a fundamental right and the constitutional monarchy. According to the caretaker prime minister, the upcoming national poll is one of the most important elections. as it will shape the future of Thailand in a democratic manner, peacefully end conflicts and show the demands of the majority. The caretaker prime minister promised that government and officials of all parties will try their best to protect the well-being of people, law enforcement and democracy. Although vote campaigns are continuing, there are, in the meantime, ballot delivery problems in the Thai South and vote campaign posters, particularly those of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, were destroyed in many areas, while demonstrators of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have continued to seize the Thailand Post Office in Hat Yai of Songkhla Province to block ballot deliveries to southern provinces. PDRC protesters in Bangkok, meanwhile, have kept marching on streets until February 1 to oppose the coming Sunday's general election and to woo public support for their demand for a domestic political reform before the new general election.(TNA)