Thais vote as opposition parties boycott general election

THAIS voted in large numbers yesterday as the embattled prime minister urged citizens to ignore an opposition boycott of parliamentary elections marred by three bombings and a small number of arrests.

The explosions at three polling stations in a Muslim-majority province in Thailand’s restive south, which injured at least two soldiers and a police officer, appeared unrelated to the political standoff between Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and critics who accuse him of corruption and abuse of power.

All three opposition parties in parliament boycotted the election, urging Thailand’s 45 million registered voters to cast ballots but tick a box indicating they abstain from choosing a candidate.