BANGKOK, 24 June 2011– The Defence Council’s meeting has ordered that military personnel take care of safety during the election in the three southernmost provinces and is ready to help transport ballot boxes if requested.
According to Defence Ministry Spokesperson Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan ordered military personnel to help ensure safety during the election period, especially in the restive south. However, their role will be to assist the police which will be the principle force in the maintenance of public safety.
The military might help transport ballot boxes for polling stations along the border and in the three southernmost provinces. Transportation will also be provided for people residing in the restive south to go and cast their votes for their safety.
Military units are instructed to promote public relations campaigns encouraging families of military personnel to go and cast their votes and to deny money from vote buying; however, no restriction on political opinion expression is made.
The resolutions were made on Thursday at the Defence Council’s meeting chaired by the defence minister, which was the last meeting of the council in the current administration. The next meeting will be held at the end of July and will be chaired by Permanent Secretary for Defence General Kittipong Keskowit.
