Parties thank the voters as polls close

Major political parties thanked people for their votes on a day that marked a “turning point” for Thailand.

Shortly after polling stations nationwide closed at 5pm, party leaders and executives gave their first reactions and predictions.

Promises and words of thanks dominated their speeches.

“This election is a turning point for Thailand,” Palang Pracharath Party leader Uttama Savanayana said as he thanked people for their votes.

“Our newly-established party wants to offer ourselves to be of service to the people,” he said.

Similar remarks were made by Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit who said yesterday was just a part of the party’s journey to parliament.

“We still have many more jobs to do tomorrow and in the future,” he said. The FFP is predicted to be among the five biggest parties to emerge from yesterday’s election.

The Chartthaipattana and Chartpattana parties were optimistic and ready to put their policies into action.

“We are indebted to every Thai citizen, whether they voted for our party or not,” Chartthaipattana Partly (CTP) leader Kanchana Silpa-archa said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also thanked party supporters for exercising their rights and promised that their votes would not be wasted no matter the election result.

“We’re grateful for the votes we received and they will keep us committed to working for the public interest,” he said.

Sora-at Klinprathum, chief adviser of the Bhumjaithai Party, said the party was overwhelmed by the voters’ support after surprise wins in some constituencies.

He said the party leader and secretary-general were asked to head talks on the formation of the government but the issue would not proceed until the election result was known.