Buri Ram _ Vote buying and other poll fraud is still a problem in Buri Ram province despite a spate of defections which has eased rivalry between the main parties.

It has become a matter of concern for the People's Network for Elections (P-Net) and the Election Commission (EC).

Four Chart Thai MPs from the province have defected to Thai Rak Thai (TRT).

But this has not diminshed the fierce competition between TRT and Chart Thai in some seats, said Thongchai Sonhom, chairman of Buri Ram-based P-Net.

Of the 10 constituencies, numbers 1, 2, 3 and 6 covering Muang, Chamni, Nong Hong, Phlapphlachai, Krasang, Huay Rat, Satuek and Lam Plai Mat districts are all under the wing of Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob, who led the four MPs over from Chart Thai late last year.

Five constituencies were already in TRT hands, and the other MP has defected from the Seritham party to TRT.

Mr Thongchai said about 2,000 P-Net volunteers would work with the EC in watching for poll irregularities.

''From information we have been given, P-Net estimates that hundreds of millions of baht is being spent here on this election, especially in constituencies where two parties are running neck and neck,'' Mr Thongchai said.

On election day, P-Net volunteers would staff 1,823 polling units in the province and staff would be on hand to take complaints.

In previous elections, some poll officers had let men enter voting stations to cast the ballots of absent voters, he said.

But most fraud occurred when the polling units were crowded.

''I'm concerned about this kind of cheating because it could well happen again,'' he said.

In constituencies 1, 2 and 7, villagers have been paid 200 baht for their vote. One local businessman said that in other constituencies canvassers were handing out as much as 500 baht to each voter.

''Police in the province know about vote buying but they still turn a blind eye to the problem,'' he said.

Some state officials were also acting as canvassers for the ruling party, he said.