Thailand votes on junta's constitution

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thais went to the polls Sunday to vote on a new constitution proposed by the ruling junta, in a first electoral test for the generals who led last September's bloodless coup.

Some 45 million eligible voters are being asked to approve or reject the charter, which the military says will pave the way for elections that would restore democracy by December.

For Thais, who have lived through more than a year of turmoil surrounding the ouster of billionaire premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the referendum was their first chance to vote since the military takeover.

Army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont urged Thais to cast their ballots, saying Thailand's first-ever referendum would help put the nation back on track.