Thai PM declares victory in referendum

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's army-installed government declared victory Sunday in a referendum on a new constitution and vowed to hold general elections by year's end to restore democracy following last September's coup.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont claimed victory after exit polls showed that nearly 68 percent of Thai voters had approved the charter, with at least two-thirds of the nation's 45 million eligible voters casting ballots.

"We consider that this constitution has been approved by the people, and by the end of August the constitution will be submitted to the king for endorsement," Surayud said on national television.

"Overall, the turnout was more than 50 percent. I thank the Thai people for coming out to exercise their vote," he said.

Sunday's vote was the first test at the ballot box for the ruling junta, which ousted elected premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup last September.

Surayud, who had said the country's first-ever referendum would help put the nation back on track after more than a year of turmoil, reaffirmed that with the approval of the charter, general elections would be held by year's end.