The Election Commission has asked the Royal Thai Police to ensure adequate security for local government elections being held throughout the country.

Prapan Naigowit, a commissioner in charge of election administration, said elections are due this year for 3,118 local administrations in various forms which have completed their terms. Some of these elections have already been held.

There have been reports of violence and intimidation of election candidates. Some of them have been killed, he said.

Therefore, the EC has sent a letter to Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, the police chief, asking him to instruct local police to provide proper security for election candidates at their request and to maintain law and order at all election venues.

Candidates who feel threatened can report this to the EC office in their respective provinces, or submit a request for protection directly to local police, Mr Prapan said.