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Published on August 20, 2007

"We paid close attention to polling booths," said Colonel Korakot Sariya, spokesman for Provincial Police Region 3. "We also closely monitored movements in Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Si Sa Ket".

He said there were no confirmed reports of vote-buying or leaflets against the draft charter.

Lt-General Warasit Pornlert of Provincial Police Region 3 said he had instructed relevant units that all polling stations should finish counting ballots by 7pm.

The Provincial Police Regions 3 and 4 have jurisdiction over many provinces in the Northeast.

Maj-General Sakda Techakriangkrai, spokesman for Provincial Police Region 4, said each polling station in the area had at least one police officer on duty.

"Police stations have been instructed to be on alert round the clock," he added.

Sakda, who is also Khon Kaen police chief, said he had dispatched 3,200 officers to polling stations in the province.

Maj-General Jiroj Siriwattana, chief of the 23rd Military Circle, cast his ballot at Khon Kaen's polling booth No 18 in the morning, after which a large number of soldiers from the circle queued to vote.

Kriangkrai Mali-ngarm, director of a polling station in Khon Kaen, said many people had showed up to vote.

"Kamnans, village heads and community leaders clearly did a good job to achieve such turnout, he said.