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Published on August 10, 2007

Pakorn Preeyakorn said there were reports in the province of Bt300 payments to each voter for them not to cast their ballot and the distribution red T-shirts to signify rejection of the draft charter.

People have the right to campaign against the charter but they should tell people what they think is wrong with the draft, he said, adding that the reports from Buri Ram were unacceptable.

The provincial election commission, which previously denied such conduct had occurred, is now investigating the situation.

Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said investigators have been working to find wrongdoers in the province. During a visiting to the province he found reports of such activity to be true but the EC needed more concrete evidence and neutral witnesses to support complaints against wrongdoers.

Apichart said the EC would cooperate with the TV Pool of Thailand in reporting the result of the referendum on August 19. The result should be known within six hours of polls closing.

He expected a turnout of over 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and other 17 provincial authorities will launch a campaign on Monday to promote the referendum, calling on people to cast votes.

A campaign procession in Bangkok will start from the Royal Plaza and move to the Democracy Monument.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said the BMA would reward the district that records the highest turnout.

Atthayuth Butsripoom,

Jeerawan Prasomsap

The Nation