Policy

Sunday's voting across Thailand went generally smoothly, with the exception of a few minor issues such as damaged ballots and the illegal sale of alcohol, police said.

Sunday brought a high voter turnout in Bangkok, surpassing the previous parliamentary elections held four years ago, when turnout was over 72%.

Eight cases of suspicious vote-buying on Election Day were identified at a purpose-built police center that monitors election-related crime, a spokesman for the center said.

The main candidates for the premiership of Thailand's political parties have made one last push to gather support from their supporters, two days before the crucial parliamentary elections.

All necessary measures to maintain law and order and to ensure free traffic throughout the country on election day were taken by the Royal Thai Police.

The Electoral Commission, which has faced increased criticism over problems on Sunday's early voting day, confirmed on Wednesday that it will release the unofficial results of the May 14 nationwide election within hours.

The One Thai Nation (ETN) political party has faced accusations of misusing government property after the Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok was lit up with the party's logo.

During the first hours of early voting in Nonthaburi, a small mistake was made: the first 100 ballot envelopes had the wrong postal code instead of the provincial voter code.

On Sunday (May 7), many Thais voted actively a week before the official election. Many voters expressed their expectations for the new government and their desire to see positive change and progress in Thailand. 

In Thailand, on Sunday, a week before the May 14 national elections, early voting will be held for those who will not be able to vote in their constituencies on the main election day. 

Bangkok police are preparing for an early vote to be held on Sunday. 

Young Thais look forward to the upcoming elections to bring about change in their country. They believe that the time has come for radical changes and a new government that will take care of their problems and interests as a priority.