UN, US, other agencies post monitors across Kingdom
THAILAND’S long-delayed election took place under the watchful eyes of foreign observers, with representatives of the United Nations fanning out across the capital and its outskirts.
A UN official said four four-member teams, wearing pale blue vests, were assigned to polling stations in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani yesterday.
Their job was to look out for any issues that might occur as citizens exercised their democratic right.
Jennifer Harhigh, the United States consul-general based in Chiang Mai who personally monitored polling at Chiang Mai University, called the exercise “informal”, stemming from her country’s interest in the region.
“We have done so with permission granted by Thailand’s Election Commission,” she said.
American monitors also observed polling in other parts of the country, she added.
Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti of the Asian Network for Free Elections said he was one of his organisation’s observers dispatched to 25 provinces.
Myanmar-based Myawaddy Media had its own monitors at polling stations in the border province of Tak, saying this election could offer lessons for Myanmar, which has an election scheduled for next year.