23 arrested for defying election booze ban

Written by changthai11 on Monday, October 6th, 2008

Police yesterday arrested 23 people for violating election law by selling or giving out liquor during the Bangkok governor polling day.

Article 130 under the local election act forbids the sale or distribution of liquor from 6pm on the day before the election until the polling booths close.

Violators face a six-month jail sentence or a 10,000-baht fine.

In Phra Khanong district, a 15-year-old boy was injured by a stray bullet at his school, which served as an election venue, police said.

Suksan Kamprawat, a Mathayom 3 student at Phra Khanong Pitayalai school, told officers he felt a sudden pain in his left shoulder while he was having lunch with friends in front of a school building 100 metres away from balloting units.

The boy sustained a small injury, as the bullet only scraped his body.

Phra Khanong district chief Kriangpol Patanarat believes the event was unconnected to the election.

Meanwhile, Election Commission (EC) chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said the EC received three complaints.

Two relate to illegal advertisement boards and the distribution of internet access passwords to voters.

The EC is considering whether the third complaint violates election law.