Elderly voters out in force

YESTERDAY’S public referendum saw an |overwhelming response from senior citizens. 

Even centenarians came out to make their voice heard in the national referendum, which determines the fate of not just the 2016 charter but also the proposal to enable senators to join in selection of the next premier. 

In the northern province of Uttaradit, the oldest voter was 107-year-old Soi Arjpuang, who spent two minutes casting her ballot in Tambon Namphi in Thong Saenkhan district.

She exited the booth with a toothy grin, saying she had come with her granddaughter-in-law.

In Trang, Luen Damwan took the age honours. Although she is 106 and her health failing, Luen refused to miss this ground-breaking vote. 

She had contacted officials to see if they could provide a ride for her – a request that Tha Ngiew municipality was more than pleased to arrange. 

When Luen showed up at the polling station near her home, everyone was smiling and expressed admiration for her strong determination to participate in the political process. 

Voters in their 90s also took a keen interest. 

 

“Torn ballot a mistake”

At a polling station in Phitsanulok’s Muang district, Boonying Soompradit, 90, was the first to vote by showing up even before the doors opened at 8am. 

In Nakhon Nayok, Thongmak Puangprasert, 93, was among those marking ballots. 

“I heard about the public referendum from my children and I made it clear to them that they must take me to the polling station,” she said.

In Kanchanburi, a 89-year-old woman drove her motorcycle to vote. 

Although she ended up facing some legal problems for tearing her ballot into two pieces – one for the charter answer and the other for the proposal – out of misunderstanding, her appearance there reflected her recognition that the referendum was a relevant issue. 

In the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham, Urai Jitrassamee, 72, happily walked nearly one kilometre to exercise her voting rights in the morning. 

“I’m excited and glad about participating in the public referendum,” she said. 

On a sad note, 68-year-old Kaew Buaklee cast his ballot in Chiang Rai but passed out at the booth. He later succumbed to illness at his home. 

Across the country, voters flocked to polling stations the whole day. Besides the greying voters, celebrities and famous figures also attracted attention when they turned up.