January 30, 2005

Carry weapons into booths for protection

 By Wassana Nanuam

 Thousands of troops, wearing bullet-proof jackets and carrying guns, cast

votes yesterday in advance voting in three southern provinces.

 More than 18,000 soldiers were registered to vote outside their

constituencies _ more than 5,000 in Yala, 6,000 in Pattani and 7,000 in

Narathiwat.

 ``It's the largest number of soldiers voting outside their constituencies

to date,'' said Narong Prapuitchob, chairman of Yala election panel.

 The provincial halls of the three provinces were packed with armed troops

who were allowed to carry guns into polling booths because of restive

atmosphere in the region.

 ``We could ask them to leave their weapons [before voting], but we don't

know where to put those weapons away,'' he said.

 Pvt Jirasak sae Tang, 22, from the Kanchanaburi-based 9th infantry

regiment, said he chose the party he admired and the candidate from that

party.

 ``I didn't have time or the opportunity to follow what was happening in my

constituency. I watch the news from time to time. That's all,'' he said.

 He said there was no order for soldiers to vote for a certain party.

 Pvt Jirasak and his colleagues came all the way from Betong district and

carried guns for their safety.

 The venue for advance voting in the provinces is provincial hall.

 Cpl Benjapet Nantharasami, from the Ubon Ratchathani-based 601st infantry

battalion, said he did not follow elections in his constituency either and

decided to opt for a party that he thought would be able to tackle problems

in the South.

 Pvt Bancha Phachee, 21, also from the same battalion, said he voted out of

sheer duty.

 ``I've been here for nine months. I don't know what party to vote for

really. But I have to choose,'' he said.

 He had been in the South for nine months and misses home.

 Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri, director of the Border Provinces Peace-building

Command, said some of these troops would also guard polling stations on Feb

6 and take ballot boxes to vote count venues.

 ``They'll enter their designated areas on Feb 5 and stay there until the

election is over. We also work with the election panel in case they need

help,'' he said.

 Gen Sirichai and another 600 soldiers voted at a special polling station in

Sirindhorn camp in Pattani's Yarang district.

 About 10,000 police in the three southern provinces have registered to cast

votes outside their constituencies in advance voting. Some went to Yala's

Police Region 9 and some to the provincial halls of their respective

provinces.