KUALA LUMPUR – Some 4,656 registered Thai voters residing in Malaysia are expected to cast their ballots in advance voting meant for overseas voters ahead of their country’s general election on May 14.
The Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur and consulates-general in Penang and Kota Baru have scheduled the voting period for seven days starting April 28 until tomorrow, to enable Thai nationals to exercise their right to vote at designated locations in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Baru, Sarawak, and Johor.
Thai ambassador Lada Phumas said that of the total, 3,668 voters have registered with the Thai embassy, 2,992 of whom will cast their votes at the polling booth at the embassy, starting today until tomorrow from 9am to 6pm.
It is among the top 10 Thai foreign missions with the highest number of registered Thai voters.
“As of 1.30pm today, turnout is already at 17% or about 500 voters. The turnout has been good even though it is a working day.
“Tomorrow is Wesak Day, a national holiday in Malaysia, so we expect more to come and we would love to have 100% turnout if possible,” she said when met at the embassy today.
For the Thai consulate-general in Penang, the ambassador said polling was held on April 29-30, with 592 Thai nationals or 86% of the total 688 registered voters having exercised their rights to vote.
Meanwhile, polling at the Thai consulate-general in Kota Baru was held on April 30, with 241 (80.3%) out of 300 registered voters having voted.
She added that two mobile units were also mobilised for voters in Kuching, Sarawak on April 28 and Johor Baru on May 1, resulting in 100% and 50.5% turnout, respectively.
“We encourage those who have registered, even with the mobile unit system, to come to the embassy today or tomorrow if they haven’t voted,” she said.
Lada said the embassy is scheduled to send the ballots and relevant documents to Thailand on May 7, before the May 12 deadline set by the Election Commission of Thailand.
She noted that there are approximately 100,000 Thai nationals residing in Malaysia. Some of them may return home to cast their votes, especially those living near the Malaysia-Thai border.
Meanwhile, voters expressed their excitement to exercise their right to vote, especially first-time voter Sirin Choomanee, 22, from Songkhla.
“I hope the prime minister that will be elected through this election can develop my country,” said the student at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.
Arfan Sama Arlee, 34, who has been living here for six years, commended the embassy for improving the voting process as he took only five minutes to cast his vote.
“Compared with the last election (in 2019), it is very well organised by the embassy this time,” he said, adding that he is excited to exercise his power to choose the government.
Meanwhile, Murni Hawae, 29, said she voted with the hope to see a better Thailand in the future.
“I describe this election as our right to choose representatives of the country and also for Pattani, my place,” said the second-time voter who has been living in Malaysia for more than ten years. – Bernama, May 3, 2023
