Ref: "Shocking evidence of vote-rigging", Letters, July 16.
Somsak Pola's outrage against vote-rigging was not different from the helper's feelings shown upon her return from Roi Et especially when she was publicly called a dog. The practice of disclosing one's name on a ballot seems to be routinely called for in Isaan. Another helper from Khon Kaen was also forced to write her name on her ballot.
Upon learning of the incident, I had to choose between civic duty or just accepting this as "This is Thailand". I took the easy way out and passed the buck by disclosing the known fact to my regular media.
It is easy to search for the shocking evidence - just open the suspected ballot boxes now kept by the Election Commission. The helper has given her consent to reveal her name and the polling station.
Due to Somsak's reaction, which was unexpected and extremely civic, I now have decided to put in writing her statement of fact to the EC. This rigging practice has been known since the 1950s and the Democrats have never done anything concrete to stop it and do not seem to take an interest in protecting their potential votes even after my earlier letter.
Songdej Praditsmanont
Bangkok
