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Sunday, March 24, 2019, 18:09
Thai voters eager for first general election in eight years
By Prime Sarmiento in Bangkok
Sunday, March 24, 2019, 18:09 By Prime Sarmiento in Bangkok

Thais queue as they wait to vote at a polling station in Bangkok on March 24, 2019 before the start of Thailand's general election. (LIOOIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Enthusiastic Thai voters yielded a high rate of turnout on Sunday, on hopes that their voices will be heard in the first general election held in eight years and in response to calls of the king and leading candidates.

Well over 80 percent of the estimated 51.4 million registered voters had cast their votes in more than 90,000 polling stations spread across the country. They will vote for members of the House of Representatives, which together with the appointed Senate members will later elect a prime minister.

Well over 80 percent of the estimated 51.4 million registered voters had cast their votes in more than 90,000 polling stations spread across the country

Punchada Sirivunnabood, associate professor at the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Mahidol University, expects an even higher voter turnout for the young first-time voters – about 90 percent.

“We haven't had an election in eight years,” she said. “They want to exercise their right to vote (and hopefully) bring changes to their country.”

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn made a call for unity and happiness just 12 hours before the vote.

The polls were open from 8 am to 5 pm but eligible voters started to queue up at 6 am in some places. 

The last official election was held in 2011, with Yingluck Shinawatra emerging victorious in the polls. Yingluck is the country's first female premier and younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Three years later, Yingluck's party was ousted by the military.

READ MORE: Thailand at an important crossroads

Prayut Chan-o-cha, the incumbent prime minister, is running in this year's polls under the Palang Pracharat Party. Other strong contenders in this year’s elections are the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai Party and the Future Forward Party led by the 40-year old billionaire Thanatorn Juangroongruangkit.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha (center) arrives to vote at a polling station in Bangkok on March 24, 2019 during Thailand's general election. (LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Prime Minister Prayut cast his ballot at a station in Bangkok at about 8:30 am local time. He had asked voters to use their rights properly to bring about unity and better development of the country.

Analysts agreed that the 7 million plus first-time voters, aged 18 to 26, are one of the most formidable voting blocs in this year's elections.

Analysts agreed that the 7 million plus first-time voters, aged 18 to 26, are one of the most formidable voting blocs in this year's elections

The Thai youth's vote is very important in the elections, according to Pandit Chanrochanakit, deputy dean of political science at the Bangkok-based Chulalongkorn University.

“They are looking forward to this year's elections because they want to make their views heard,” Pandit told China Daily.

He said that the young Thais believe that voting will allow them to decide what future they want for themselves and their country.

Kitikorn Jeheh, a 24-year old university student and a member of the Karen hill tribe from the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai, is one of the first-time voters.

Kitikorn was excited to vote because he believed his vote will help establish a government that will care about the plight of Thailand's hill-tribes. Many of them are still stateless despite being born or living in Thailand for decades.


Another first-time voter, a school teacher who only wants to be known by her first name Nuchee, said she voted because she wants “to take part in political life of my country”.

Analysts note most voters still believe that their votes will matter in forming a new government even if the provisions of the new Thai Constitution are taken as in favor of the incumbent administration backed by the military.

The new constitution allows parliament's upper house, the 250-seat Senate, to vote with the 500-seat House of Representatives in choosing the prime minister. 

Since the Senate members are composed of military appointees, pro-military parties would probably need 126 seats in the lower house to win a majority in a combined vote. Opposition parties would need 376 seats.

Despite the provisions, a Thai voter like entrepreneur Kritsana Phiannonlao still chose to go to the nearest precinct. He said that he voted for a candidate “that will restore back democracy in Thailand”.


prime@chinadailyapac.com



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