The United States today warned against moves to stage a military coup in Thailand and said it was "concerned that political tensions" are challenging the Southeast Asian nation's democracy.
"We certainly do not want to see a coup or violence... in any case of course. We are speaking directly to all elements in Thai society to make clear the importance of using democratic and constitutional means to resolve political differences," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said after disrupted weekend elections.
While there had been "peaceful and orderly polling" in most areas yesterday "but there were also disturbing incidents of violence on the eve of the election," as well as efforts to block voters getting to the polls, she said.
"We remain concerned that political tensions in Thailand are posing challenges to the democratic institutions and processes of Thailand," Psaki told reporters.
"We certainly don't take sides, as you know, in Thailand's political disputes, but we continue to urge all sides to commit to sincere dialogue to resolve political differences peacefully and democratically."
Millions were denied the opportunity to cast ballots on yesterday, with blockades by protesters seeking to prevent the re-election of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra causing the closure of some 10 per cent of polling stations.
Experts said that weeks of political upheaval have left the embattled government increasingly vulnerable to court intervention or even a military coup.
Psaki stressed: "We support democratic solution to the ongoing tensions in Thailand. So we're engaged very closely in that on the ground, and we of course believe there are more steps that need to be taken in that process.
