Thais vote on new constitution

BANGKOK, Aug 7 (TNA) - Thais are voting Sunday for the first time since 2014 coup in a referendum on a new Constitution that would pave the way for a general election in 2017. The poll started at 8 am and will be closed at 4 pm. The Election Commission expects about 80 percent of more than 50 million eligible voters nationwide will go out to cast ballots in Sunday’s referendum. Unofficial voting results will be known at 9 pm today. The unofficial results will be broadcast live on television and the EC Facebook’s page. The ballot is the first major popularity test for the junta led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha since he seized the administrative power in 2014. Gen Prayuth led the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to take control of the administration, citing the reason that it was because of the prolonged political deadlock, long-running protests, and violence while the caretaker government was unable to perform their duties effectively. Meanwhile, Kritsada Bunrat, permanent secretary to the Interior Ministry, circulated urgent letters to governors and chief districts across the country to step up security and maintain order at polling units. The move came after a report of possible symbolic gathering of some groups of people at polling stations to express their disagreement with the draft Constitution. Around 200,000 police were deployed nationwide to ensure the law and order for the vote, and while Thailand's major political parties rejected the constitution ahead of the vote and so far, there were no signs of protests or trouble. (TNA)