Two referendum voters detained for ripping off voting tickets

The Thai authorities detained two persons for tearing the voting tickets for the draft constitution referendum.

The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) reported on Sunday morning, 7 August 2016, that the police detained a 54-year-old woman in Bang Na District of Bangkok after she tore apart the voting ticket for the draft constitution referendum.

At press time, she is being interrogated by the Thai police.

On the same day, at the voting station of Thung Khru District of Bangkok the police detained Pipat Paesuwanrak, a 69-year-old man, for ripping off the voting ticket to two pieces after marking the ticket.

The authorities so far reported that Pipat did so because he misunderstood that he was supposed to tear apart the ticket which contain two questions before dropping them into the ballot boxes.

He was taken to Thung Khru District Police Station for interrogation.

So far, the authorities have not accused the two of any offence yet.

Under Article 59 of the controversial Public Referendum Act, people who tear off the voting tickets for the referendum could be imprisoned for one year and fined up to 20,000 baht.

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”