General News - Thursday December 20, 2007
RACE TO PARLIAMENT
Thais show zest for poll overseas
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Thais living overseas have showed enthusiasm for the election with a high turnout in advance voting in 65 countries.
According to the Foreign Ministry, 58,807 out of a total 80,161 registered voters, or 73.36%, showed up to cast their ballots held between Dec 3 and last Sunday (Dec 16) in 90 Thai embassies and consuls. Most voters were in the United States, followed by Germany, Singapore, China and the UAE.
''The turnout was the highest compared with the last five (overseas) votes since 2000,'' said director-general of the Consular Department Tirakul Niyom.
In 2000, only 35% of voters overseas exercised their voting rights. Last year's polls, which were later annulled, saw 27% of registered voters show up.
The official said enthusiasm about politics among Thais living abroad was the factor driving them to vote. Other factors were better public relations campaigns by Thai diplomats, the private sector overseas and the media, he added.
Ballot boxes have been sent back to Bangkok with the last ones from Canberra arriving yesterday.
Officials from the ministry, the Election Commission and Thailand Post already separated the ballots and will send them to 157 polling centres in order to prepare for counting on Sunday.
Bangkok Post
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