Police denial

Police spokesman Major General Prawut Thavornsiri said yesterday police had not conducted a "Santibal Poll" - but only gathered information for analysis.

His comments followed a rumour of a "Santibal (Special Branch Police) poll in 331 constituencies that found Pheu Thai Party leading the Democrats in the capital. Prawut said police had just gathered information to analyse which areas may be highly competitive, in order to develop preventive security measures.In regard to pre-election violence, he said 307 candidates had requested police protection and 1,467 campaign signs were destroyed. There were seven cases of election law violations and 19 election-related cases.He dismissed a rumour a subordinate for a Pheu Thai MP candidate was arrested with Bt20 million in Phitsanulok's Wat Bot district. Police at a checkpoint arrested a person who claimed to be a candidate's aide for carrying a gun to public place. He said people shouldn't worry about rumours created for political gain. He also instructed police to watch for election gambling as some dens had reportedly opened for bets.