Voter turnout for the city governor election hit a record high yesterday, with 2.4 million, 62.5% of eligible voters, casting their ballots.

The turnout was higher than the last election, which was 58%.

Several roads were jammed. Traffic radio station, Sor Wor Phor 91, reported up to 18,000 queries about traffic routes to election units.

It also reported traffic jams and parking space problems near polling units since election day coincided with the eve of Sart Cheen, a Chinese festival. Many motorists had to leave their vehicles and use motorcycle taxi services so they could vote on time.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his children cast their ballots at a polling unit in Pimolwit School, Bang Phlat district, while his wife Khunying Pojamarn voted at Setthasathien School in Dusit district.

Princess Ubolratana's daughters Khun Ploypailin and Khun Sirikitiya Jensen voted at a poll station in Phra Nakhon district.

Prominent candidate Apirak Kosayodhin along with his wife and children cast their ballots at Benjasiri Park in the Sukhumvit area, Pavena Hongsakula at a polling unit in Bang Khen, and Pol Capt Chalerm Yubamrung and his wife at an election unit in Bang Bon district.

Pol Maj-Gen Ekkachai Waroonprapa, secretary-general of the Election Commission (EC), said 56 election violations were reported, 28 of which came from EC intelligence units, seven from People's Network for Elections in Thailand (Pnet), and 21 from police intelligence units.

``Of all the 28 cases that were reported by the EC intelligence units, one was about gambling, 22 were about sales of liquor, and five were about election law violations including vote buying,'' Pol Maj-Gen Ekkachai said.

A source at the EC said the commission was asked to keep a close watch on suspicious incidents in certain constituencies such as parties in Lat Phrao district.

Also yesterday, bets on Bangkok governor election results, which were illegal, continued pair on pair, especially the pair of massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit and political veteran Chalerm Yubamrung which attracted the highest number of bets.

However, there were no takers on who would be the winner since everyone believed Mr Apirak (No.1) was certain to be elected.

At the Democrat party's Bangkok election coordinating centre, hundreds of Democrats and supporters gathered in front of a large television screen and computer terminals to check vote count results reported by their observers from all 50 Bangkok districts.

The atmosphere was lively, especially during the televised Olympics boxing final between Worapoj Petchkoom and his Cuban rival.