Published on January 31, 2005

Voting is an act of faith. It takes about two minutes.

But what a difference a vote can make.

Everyone has a first time.

And when that comes, voting should be an act of reason rather than whim.

Voting isn’t trendy. It’s a social responsibility.

Have your say; exercise it.

Thailand’s Election Commission says that about 44 million people are eligible to vote in the February 6 election. Balloters, including those voting for the very first time, will choose the future of Thailand.

“Young people (aged 18 to 20) usually come out to vote, at least we’ve seen a majority of them in past few years,” says Jaisiri Worthamniam of the Election Commission.

“But most of them, as far as we know, vote according to fad, fashion and feelings rather than making a critical analysis of the policy stands and debates by the candidates.”

This concerns the Election Commission.

“We need young voters to be critical in their opinions rather than being victims of in-your-face election marketing,” Jaisiri says.

“Teenagers should consider the policies and long-term consequences of their next government.” Young people tend to be turned off by politics and the complex nature of government. But learning how the system works is important because it affects everyone.

Kitmanoch Rojanasuya, a tutor at the Pinnacle tutorial school in Siam Square, says that most teens don’t know much about politics.

It isn’t fashionable and most people don’t want to talk about it.

So how do you choose which candidate to vote for?

“One way, and perhaps the easiest, is to read news-analysis columns or editorials in the local newspapers,” says Kitmanoch, better known as Ajarn Lilly, who teaches Thai grammar to students from the elementary to high-school level.

“Newspaper columnists are knowledgeable and can provide insight about politics. Reading analysis is better than general news stories, which usually only report what happened that day.”

The Election Commission believes its efforts to encourage young voters to participate in politics should yield long-term benefits.

“Instead of forcing the idea that politics is important, the Election Commission is encouraging teens to realise that it is,” Ajarn Lilly says. “That will, in the long run, turn them into adults who do critical thinking.

If we create an atmosphere in which information is available, then we can create interest among teenagers.”

And for those who are still wondering who to choose in this general election, Ajarn Lilly suggests ignoring looks and status.

“There’s nothing wrong with actors and actresses running in the election. But we need good – not good-looking – people to run the country and students have to realise that.”

Post your comment to this story here