United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the conduct of parliamentary elections in Thailand and voiced hope that the polls will help consolidate democracy, reconciliation and stability in the South-East Asian country.The Pheu Thai party, led by Yingluck Shinawatra – whose older brother, the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted in a military coup in 2006 – won a clear majority of seats in yesterday's elections, according to media reports. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban noted “the orderly conduct” of the elections “and the promise by all parties to respect the will of the Thai people as expressed through the democratic process.” The statement added that Ban “hopes that the elections mark an important step towards genuine reconciliation, long-term stability and consolidation of democratic norms in the country.” BM/UN
