Regional News
Yingluck Shinawatra Urges all Thais to Exercise their “Right to Vote”
CHIANG MAI – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged all Thais to exercise their rights by voting in tomorrow’s general election.
She emphasized that voting is the best peaceful solution to the ongoing political situation in the country, reaffirming that she would definitely vote tomorrow as a proud citizen of Thailand and as a member of the parliament.
The premier also expressed her concerns over the possibility of protesters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) obstructing the Sunday polls. She said that the government would do its best to ensure safety to voters while exercising utmost restraint. When asked about the postponement of the election date proposed bythe Election Commission earlier this week, she replied that delaying the polls would not solve anything, adding that the move would merely reschedule the time to address the problem to a later date.
Ms. Yingluck also implored the PDRC’s core leader Suthep Thaugsuban and his supporters to express their opinions through their votes. She also invited them to a talk to find a common way out, citing it is time for all to genuinely find an exit strategy to this messy political situation.
Foreign Affairs Minister of Australia Julie BishopMeanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister of Australia Julie Bishop has called on all sides in Thailand to respect the rights of other people to vote on Feb 2nd.
In her statement released by the Australian Embassy, Minister Bishop said Australia would like to encourage all parties to settle their political differences through a democratic and peaceful means, adding that everyone should respect the rights of other people. She went on to say that Australia would be willing to support Thailand in finding ways out of the current political standoff.
Minister Bishop also advised all Australian citizens living or travelling in Thailand to avoid all polling stations and protest sites as the situation is still unstable.
