Thailand on March 30 held a senatorial election, without disruption from anti-government protesters or signs of violence.

The vote count at poll stations is expected to be completed by 8pm (local time).

As many as 77 members of the 150-seat Senate are directly elected from 77 Thai provinces and cities, while 73 members are appointed from various independent agencies by the Senate.

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been summoned to appear before the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on March 31 to defend herself against charges of negligence linked to a failed national rice subsidy scheme.

The NACC said she ignored warnings of corruption in the process and financial losses resulted from the scheme.

If indicted she would face an impeachment vote in the upper house that could lead to her removal from office and a five-year ban from politics.-VNA