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Outgoing National Legislative Assembly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan attributed the dull turnout to a lack of publicity for the vote by the Election Commission and candidates. He suggested, too, that many were "bored" with politics.

He said the commission only stepped up publicity a few days ahead of the vote.

Meechai added that many candidates were unknown, and did little to drum up support.

"People also feel that they have to vote again so shortly after the general election," Meechai said.

According to Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda, active voting by soldiers was a result of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej ordering personnel to participate.

Anupong and wife Kulaya voted at noon.

Anupong said the armed forces ran a campaign publicising the election. "The prime minister issued an order for us to vote so we told personnel to go and do so."

Navy commander-in-chief Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanont, who voted at a polling station in Bangkok's Lak Si district, said he hoped politicians would carry out their duty without interfering in others' responsibilities.

"If they carry out their duty to their best and respect the rules and refrain from interfering in each other's duty, the country will remain at peace," Sathiraphan said.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Air Force commander-in-chief Air Chief Marshall Chalit Pukphasuk said he hoped to see good people elected as senators to vet new legislation.

Chalit said an elected and appointed Senate was used in other countries. This is Thailand's first experiment with the system.

In Saraburi soldiers queued to cast their vote. They started arriving at base stations at 8am.

Bases in Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok were busy, too, in contrast to civilian polling stations.

The Nation