January 23, 2005

Southern troops to vote in advance

 20,000 to provide election day security

 By Wassana Nanuam

 Nearly 20,000 army and navy soldiers in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat will vote in advance on Jan 29-30 because they will be providing security on Feb 6 election day.

 An army source said there are now about 8,000 soldiers in the South from First Army units based in Bangkok, Lop Buri, Chon Buri and Kanchanaburi and from Second Army units based in Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen and Yasothon provinces.

 Another 8,000 troops from the Fourth Army, based elsewhere in the South, are operating in the three border provinces, the source said.

 In addition, the navy has about 3,000 personnel located in Narathiwat who will see service on election day.

 Maj-Gen Chalermchai Wirunphet, commander of the Fifth Infantry Division, said about 6,000 soldiers originally based in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat will also vote in advance on Jan 29-30.

 All army personnel are allowed to vote freely, he said.

 ''At present our soldiers are democratic-minded. They are free to vote for anyone they choose,'' Maj-Gen Chalarmchai said.